SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Road plans go on show at Monks Yard

PEOPLE can find out more about planned improvements for the A303 and A358 by visiting an exhibition today (Thursday, February 25, 2016) on the outskirts of Ilminster.

Highways England’s “public engagement” event will provide information on how its plans for the A303/A358 corridor will be developed. These encompass three schemes to dual the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down, the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester, and the A358 Southfields to Junction 25 (Taunton) of the M5.

Today’s event near Ilminster will be held at Monks Yard at Horton Cross, just off the Southfields roundabout, from 1pm to 8pm.

Somerset County Council’s highways head has welcomed progress with improvement plans for a major arterial route that will drive economic growth and prosperity in the South West.

Cllr David Fothergill, the council’s highways and transport spokesman, has urged people to go along and take a look at the exhibition at Monks Yard.

Prime Minister David Cameron announced significant upgrades to the route, linking London and the South East to the South West, as part of the Government’s Roads Investment Strategy in winter 2014.

Cllr Fothergill said: “This project is a vital key to unlocking the future growth and prosperity of Somerset and the South West.

“We all know that, as well as drastically improving driver experience, it represents fantastic opportunities for our county – from generating well over 20,000 jobs, to bringing a £42bn benefit to our region’s economy over 60 years.

“It has taken many years of hard lobbying by a Somerset-led partnership of local authorities to reach this point. I am pleased that we are now all being given this chance to find out more and eventually share our views, paving the way for the improvements.”

Members of the public will have the opportunity to learn more about the proposals, and the timescales, and speak to Highways England staff during this afternoon’s event at Monks Yard.

PHOTO – TOP: The A303 Ilminster Bypass.

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