A358 between Taunton and Southfields responses from Somerset County Council and parish councils

But the end to some of our traffic nightmares could soon be ending, (well, in 2022) with the redevelopment on the A358 from Taunton to Southfields roundabout.

Except, it’s not as easy as it sounds, because deciding which route to take is proving to be a contentious subject.

Highways England (HE) is currently holding a consultation on the project, but with only one “option”, and calling it an option quickly becomes redundant when there’s only one route on the table.

The road authority started with a selection of 26 options, which was then narrowed down to four, which then became one (Option 8 with NFS).

The A358 between Taunton and Southfields Roundabout currently comprises a mix of dual and single lane carriageway, leading to localised congestion that can have an impact on journey times. The redevelopment comes alongside two other consultations to form a better corridor to and from the South West.

The original consultation was paused during the General Election, and it will now run until July 16.

As part of the consultation, a public exhibition is being held on Friday, June 30, at the Holiday Inn, Taunton, from 10am until 7pm.

The message from Highways England to most of the concerned residents’ question throughout the parish meetings has been to “have your say”. HE has continuously encouraged people to voice their thoughts on the proposals.

Project manager, David Stock, said: “Gathering a wide range of views from the local community will help us shape our plans for the next stage.

“A second round of public consultation will follow in 2018, when we will ask for feedback on more refined proposals.

“This is the last of our series of five public events and we look forward to meeting people face to face to hear their views on how our plans could help deliver benefits to the area.”

Somerset County Council (SCC) and a host of parish councils around the town have all expressed their concerns with the lack of choice on the table.

The county council has questioned why the Option 2A/2Ba route, that would connect to the M5 2km south of J25 with a south-facing slip only, is closer to Henlade than the others and has a 1.5km link road running between the new road and the J25, has not been considered further.

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SCC published it’s official response to the consultation so far on June 22.

Mike O’Dowd-Jones, strategic commissioning manager highways and transport, said: “The council has for a number of years promoted the upgrading of the A358 as part of an end-to-end improvement of the A303/A358/A30 corridor and wish to make clear to Highways England that it is fully committed to the Development Consent Order process, and supports the principle of a dual carriageway improvement between the M5 and Southfields.

“The council’s view is that further clarification and justification for choice of route is required, and that there are a number of important issues which will require resolution as the preferred route alignment and design is further developed, including the precise location of the new M5 junction; it is clear from the report that the proposed option if designed appropriately does have the potential to deliver the economic, transport and safety benefits that the council is seeking in promoting the need for the improvement.

“The council is particularly keen to understand why option 2A/2B and its key feature of a link into the existing M5 junction 25 has not been recommended as an option for consideration when the high-level transport economic assessment presented would appear to favour this option.

“The council urges Highways England to further assess and consult upon the potential benefits and implications of a link between the proposed expressway and Junction 25 prior to selecting the preferred route and to consider including it as part of the preferred route.”

Parish councils across the town have been hosting HE to present the proposal to residents.

Killams and Mountfields Cllr, Catherine Herbert, said: “Both Taunton Deane Borough Council and the county council have formally expressed concerns about Highways England consulting on just their one preferred option and with insufficient technical information as to why other viable options have been rejected.

RELATED: Highways England discusses controversial A358 plans at parish meetings

“The lack of information on the design and impacts from a massive new M5 junction linking with the four lanes of the Expressway close by homes in Killams that were built 23 years ago, is also a matter of concern for residents in my Ward.

“I hope Highways England will pause the current consultation, listen to our real concerns and think again.”

Killams resident, Pat Power, said: “This scheme channels heavy volumes of traffic from London and the South-East heading to Devon and Cornwall that would have gone on the traditional route through Honiton to Exeter, but will now be using Taunton as an Expressway bypass, without stopping or providing additional local access to the M5 for Taunton.Where is the economic benefit for Taunton? How does this flawed scheme fit in with our Garden Town status?”.

Her husband Nigel added: “The current scheme is predicted to cost at least £244m and creates more accidents, noise and pollution than leaving the A358 as it is. “This is an absurd proposal which combines high costs without any benefits for Taunton. I would prefer to see this money spent on schools, elderly care and the NHS in Taunton Deane instead.”

Meanwhile, Mike Marshall, vice chairman of Ruishton and Thornfalcon Parish Council, has expressed disappointment that the improvements would only results in a 30 per cent decrease in traffic on the A358 through Henlade by 2038, according to Highways England.

He said: “This would still leave Henlade with its ongoing air pollution and traffic problems.

“There were many calls for Highways England to look at creating a spur off of their proposed new route into Junction 25 of the M5 via Taunton Deane’s proposed Nexus 25 business park, which would relieve traffic flow considerably through Henlade.”

Concerns that the consultation has not provided enough informed have formed from an environmental law firm acting on behalf of a campaign group.

Lawyers acting for the Somerset branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England are threatening legal action against Highways England.

In a letter to HE, Elm Law says: “This is all indicative of a flawed consultation process that is seriously prejudicial and unfair to all consultees and therefore unlawful.”

It adds that the consultation “should now be held in abeyance until such time as HE has carried out the additional work necessary and/or provided the required information/date to remedy the identified deficiencies in the HE documents so far provided.”

To have your say visit highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/he/a358-taunton-to-southfields.