A303 Sparkford to Ilchester

Closed 28 Mar 2017

Opened 15 Feb 2017

Contact

0300 123 5000

A303SparkfordtoIlchesterDualling@highwaysengland.co.uk

Feedback updated 26 Jan 2018

We asked

We asked for feedback on our proposals to upgrade the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester to relieve congestion, support regional economic growth and improve access between communities, workplaces and local services.

You said

A total of 735 stakeholders attended the public events and we received 1,237 questionnaire responses.

82% of people agreed that something should be done to address the problems on the A303. The responses showed overwhelming support for the principle of the scheme and significant majority support for Option 1.

As well as giving views on specific elements of the project, people provided feedback on themes such as the environment and the local community, as well as suggestions for additional junctions and crossing points.

The views expressed and matters raised are summarised in our preferred route leaflet with more detail provided in our report on public consultation. You can find both of these in the ‘files’ section below.

We did

We read and considered every response and comment you gave us and, together with the results of further surveys and assessments, used this information to review and improve our initial proposals.

Following on from this we are now undertaking a statutory consultation for you to express your views on the design of the proposed scheme in advance of our application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to authorise construction of the project. For more information please visit the statutory consultation page.

Results updated 24 Oct 2017

Having assessed all the relevant issues and analysed the feedback, we have concluded that Option 1 would provide the best performing route overall.

We have selected Option 1 as our preferred route as it:

  • minimises land-take
  • minimises construction in unspoilt rural setting as the route follows the existing corridor very closely
  • is preferred by stakeholders and most of the local community as it has less impact on biodiversity
  • is the shortest of the 2 options so will provide the best journey time

Our preferred route for a dual carriageway between Sparkford and Ilchester will make journeys quicker and safer, while boosting economic productivity, creating opportunity and prosperity for local people.

To learn more about the preferred route, please see the documents below. For more information on the development of the project and to subscribe to our web alerts, please visit the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester website.

Come and see us

We are holding 2 public drop-in events where you can view the preferred route and talk to our project experts:

Location Date Time
Haynes Motor Museum, Wolverlands, Sparkford, Yeovil, BA22 7LH Tuesday 7 November 2017 3pm to 7pm
Haynes Motor Museum, Wolverlands, Sparkford, Yeovil, BA22 7LH Friday 10 November 2017 3pm to 7pm

Information points

Copies of the preferred route plans and supporting reports will also be available at the following local information points from Tuesday 24 October.

Public Information Points
Wincanton Library, 7 Carrington Way, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9JS Barrington Court, Barrington, Ilminster, TA19 0NQ
Yeovil Library, King George Street, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1PZ Lytes Cary Manor, near Somerton, Somerset, TA11 7HU
South Petherton Library, St. James Street, South Petherton, Somerset, TA13 5BS Montacute House, Montacute, TA15 6XP
Taunton Library, Paul Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3XZ Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY
Martock Library, The Shopping Centre, Martock, Somerset, TA12 6DL South Somerset District Council, Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2HT

Files:

Overview

About this scheme

The A303 is the most direct main route between the south east and the south west. Tens of thousands of people use the road every day, including tourists on their way to some of the nation’s favorite holiday destinations.

But for now the road is not great at getting people from A to B. It is regularly congested and is frustrating for motorists who try to avoid tailbacks by diverting onto unsuitable local roads. This makes life hard for local communities too.

The aim is to transform the route into an expressway, a new type of strategic road which is as safe and reliable as a motorway and where ‘mile-a-minute’ journeys are the norm.

In its Road Investment Strategy, the government has identified eight separate sections of road along the A303 and A358 to Taunton where upgrades are needed, and has made funding available for the first three to get under way.

This website is about our public consultation on one of these schemes, the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme.

Why do we need this scheme?

The section of the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester currently comprises of a mix of dual and single lane carriageway, which leads to localised congestion, impacting adversely on journey times and journey time reliability.

We are proposing to dual the 3 mile section of single carriageway between Sparkford and Ilchester, with a view to creating nearly 30 miles of dual carriageway on the A303 between South Petherton and Mere.

The proposed scheme provides a number of benefits to road users, businesses, the local community and tourists, they include:

  • relieving traffic congestion on a vital link to the South West peninsula
  • providing more reliable journey times
  • improving safety and reducing driver stress by providing a more free-flowing network
  • providing safer local access provisions for pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised users
  • supporting the local economy to grow through the creation of a modernised and reliable road that reduces delays and makes the South West more accessible for tourism and business
  • improving the environment by reducing pollution from queuing traffic, particularly during the busy summer months

How to get involved

We are holding a public consultation on the proposed route options from Wednesday 15 February until Tuesday 28 March 2017. We would like to know what you think about the route option proposals. We will listen to your views and publish a consultation report to inform the selection of a preferred route.

View the proposed route options online

All of the consultation information is available on this webpage including a brochure with a summary of the proposed route options, event information boards, and our consultation questionnaire.

Attend a public information event

Meet the project team and view the proposed route options at the following events:

Date Venue Time
Thursday 23 February 2017 Sparkford Inn, High Street, Sparkford, Yeovil, BA22 7JH 12.00 midday to 8.00pm
Saturday 25 February 2017 Queen Camel Memorial Hall, High Street, Queen Camel, Yeovil, BA22 7NF 10.00am to 5.00pm
Friday 10 March 2017 Davis Hall, Howell Hill, West Camel, Yeovil, BA22 7QX 10.00am to 6.00pm

Visit a public information point

Consultation materials will be available to view from Wednesday 15 February until Wednesday 29 March 2017 during normal opening hours at the following places:

Public information points
Wincanton Library, 7 Carrington Way, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9JS
Barrington Court, Barrington, Ilminster, TA19 0NQ
Yeovil Library, King George Street, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1PZ
Lytes Cary Manor, near Somerton, Somerset, TA11 7HU
South Petherton Library, St. James Street, South Petherton, Somerset, TA13 5BS
Montacute House, Montacute, TA15 6XP
Taunton Library, Paul Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3XZ
Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY
Martock Library, The Shopping Centre, Martock, Somerset, TA12 6DL
South Somerset District Council, Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2HT

Documents

Through the links below you can view all of the information which will be available at our public consultation events. Please take your time to view the following:

The case for improving the A303

Public consultation information

Audiences

  • All members of the public

Interests

  • Roads