A358 consultation opens today
Another consultation on aspects of the new plans for the A358 opens today. Ever since local people protested that the initial consultation only offered one option, National Highways have been learning lessons. Much more consultation has followed. Starting with a revised consultation on the route looking at 3 potential options. That has now been whittled down to one.
Today’s consultation is asking opinions on the latest refinements to the details plans.
The current consultation will look at plans for:
- Nexus 25 junction – this is the junction between the A358 and the Nexus 25 business park next to Junction 25 of the M5. The plans will change from a roundabout to a junction controlled by traffic signals. This will allow a “signalised” pedestrianised crossing and facilitate management of traffic in conjunction with M5 junction 25
- Mattocks Tree Green junction
- New connection at the eastern roundabout – for direct access to Village Road and onward travel to Hatch Beauchamp
- Realignment of Ash Road connection – removing the direct link between Ash Road and Mattocks Tree Green junction to discourage rat-running
- West Hatch Lane extension – providing a new public road alongside the A358 to allow more direct access to Mattocks Tree Green junction
- Bridge at Bickenhall Lane – moved to place it further from Bickenhall Wood ancient woodland and access for walkers, cyclists, horse-riders and disabled users and private farm access
- Capland Link – confirming that the link road is our chosen option and the route of the link road adjacent to the A358
- Jordans bridge – a new link and bridge over the A358 between Ashill junction and Southfields roundabout for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders and disabled users and private farm access.
The map below should help to explain the locations of the proposed changes:
Katherine Liddington, Senior Project Manager for the A358 scheme, said: “We plan to upgrade approximately 8.5 miles of the A358 to a new high-quality and high-performing dual carriageway, which will reduce congestion, enhance safety and improve connectivity for road users and local communities, while unlocking economic growth in Somerset and beyond.“
National Highways will host three public consultation events:
- Thursday 26 May from 11am to 8pm: Monks Yard (Conference Room), Horton Cross Farm, Horton Cross, Ilminster, Somerset, TA19 9PT
- Wednesday 8 June from 11am to 8pm: Somerset County Cricket Club, The Cooper Associates County Ground, St. James Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1JT
- Saturday 11 June from 11am to 6pm: Taunton Racecourse, Orchard Portman, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 7BL
The consultation runs from 24 May to 26 June 2022.
Feedback is via a questionnaire which you can find here:
Completed feedback questionnaires can be sent to: FREEPOST A358 TAUNTON TO SOUTHFIELDS. Note the address must be written in capital letters and you do not need a stamp.