MOTORISTS heading to the M5 or into Taunton from east of the motorway are going to have to get used to a new road layout.

Gazette website visitors will already have seen a map of what it will look like, but thanks to Steve and Deryl Williams, who sent us this drone picture, you can get an idea of what it looks like from the air.

Chard & Ilminster News: The layout of the new link road opening this weekendThe layout of the new link road opening this weekend

The £19 million improvement scheme to upgrade Junction 25 takes a major step forward this weekend.

The scheme includes an important new link road serving the town and motorway.

From tomorrow night (Sunday), the new Nexus link road will carry A358 traffic for the first time and motorists coming from this direction will now turn left just after the Gateway Park and Ride and follow the link road to a new roundabout, then onto the main Junction 25 roundabout.

The old section of the A358 between the Park and Ride and Junction 25 roundabout will temporarily be closed from Sunday until the project is complete, at which point it will reopen to eastbound traffic only.

Cllr John Woodman, Somerset County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Redirecting A358 westbound traffic onto the new Nexus link road is an important part of the project.

“It means we can complete the remaining work while keeping the network moving with minimal disruption.

"It’s a really positive step forward and I’d urge everyone to take a look at the information before you head out on your journey just to familiarise yourself with this change.”

Overall, J25 improvements include an enlargement of the roundabout, full signalisation and a widened eastern exit, a new roundabout to access the proposed Nexus 25 site, and safer pedestrian and cycling facilities.