Bridgwater motorists disrupted by Dunball roundabout works

Somerset Council confirmed in early-October that the long-awaited upgrade of the roundabout, which links junction 23 of the M5 to the A38 Bristol Road into the town centre, would finally begin on November 11.

The £10.7m scheme – which also includes the delivery of improved walking and cycling links both on and near the roundabout – is being predominantly funded by the government’s levelling up fund, with contributions from the Bridgwater town deal, housing developers and National Highways.

The upgrade will coincide with two other major sets of roadworks in the wider Bridgwater area – namely the delivery of the Celebration Mile in the town centre (funded by the town deal) and power supply improvements to the Gravity site (funded by Agratas, who are building a new gigafactory there).

Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, admitted that the experience would be “very painful” for motorists – but added that on completion “the benefits will speak for themselves” and lead to more investment in the town.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Portfolio Holder For Transport And Waste Services, At The Dunball Roundabout Drop In Event At Puriton Village Hall (Image: Daniel Mumby)

Mr Wilkins (who represents the Curry Rivel and Langport division) made his comments at a public drop-in event staged at Puriton Village Hall on Wednesday (October 23).

He said: “It’s going to be really painful, there’s no two ways about it. But once it’s delivered, the benefits will speak for themselves.

“It will make the whole road system of Bridgwater work so much better, and people will start to see the benefits of the investment that’s going to be brought in because of this.”

The new design of the roundabout will allow for faster journeys out of the town towards junction 23 of the M5 via the ‘throughabout’ lanes, making it easier for Bridgwater residents to commute to and from the new gigafactory.

In addition to increased capacity for motorists, new walking and cycling links will be installed around the roundabout, including two new toucan crossings – one immediately north of the roundabout (providing access to the Dunball services) and one near the junction with Downend.

This connections will deliver a further section of the ‘purple route’ within the Bridgwater local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP), making it easier to walk or cycle between the town centre and the Gravity site via the Express Park and the existing footbridge over the M5.

READ MORE: Bridgwater cycling network won't be upgraded under Dunball revamp

Mr Wilkins said: “This scheme will make a huge difference – it’s so vital for the investment into the area.

“It will add capacity through the ‘throughabout’ road system and add a safe route for active travel.”

As part of the Dunball roundabout upgrade, three sets of overnight closures will be required on the A39 between Dunball and junction 23 of the M5.

The council has now confirmed that these closures will be in place from January 6 to 10, February 10 to  14 and March 3 to 14.

During these times, motorists can still use junction 23 to leave the M5 but will be diverted along the A39 Puriton Hill eastbound towards Knowle and enter the town via the A39 Bath Road and the Cross Rifles roundabout.

These three sets of closures are being spread out to accommodate two sets of other roadworks on the A39 being carried out by Agratas – power upgrades on Bath Road, which will conclude on December 19, and additional upgrades on Puriton Hill, which will run from January 11 to February 9.

These works leave the council with very little margin for error if any scheme overruns due to inclement weather, supply chain issues or other disruption – and there is also little room for manoeuvre regarding the funding of the Dunball scheme.

The bulk of the funding for the roundabout upgrade comes from the government’s levelling up fund – which must be spent in its entirety by the end of March 2025.

The council intends to use this grant for the early stages of the upgrade, with the other contributions – from the Bridgwater town deal, housing developers and National Highways – being used to fund the later elements of the scheme.

Mr Wilkins said: “It’s going to be difficult, there’s no two ways about it.

“We’ve got a lot going on in Bridgwater, and we’re going to be working really hard to make sure that everything knits into place.

“We’re confident that we’ll get it done on time and on budget.”

For more information on these roadworks and others in your local area, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/roadworks-and-travel.