Somerset County Council has outlined ambitious transport initiatives for 2026, focusing on road resurfacing, safety enhancements, and sustainable infrastructure to address wear from heavy traffic and weather. Taunton stands out with a detailed repair schedule targeting key routes like the A38, aiming for completion by March to minimize potholes and improve safety. These efforts form part of broader investment plans under the Future Transport Plan, blending local funding with national grants for long-term connectivity.
Taunton Road Repair Timeline
Repairs kick off in early January on Wellington Roundabout, progressing through Taunton’s high-traffic corridors with overnight closures to limit daytime disruption. The phased approach covers over a dozen sites, prioritizing the A38 corridor linking Taunton to Wellington, where deterioration has spiked due to lorry volumes exceeding fifty thousand vehicles weekly. Work wraps by late March, weather permitting, with only one closure active at a time and manned diversion points for smooth flow.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport, emphasized resident access, noting pedestrian paths stay open and site teams coordinate emergency or business needs. National Highways coordinates to avoid clashing with M5 maintenance, ensuring the motorway handles diversions without capacity loss. Live updates appear on one.network and TravelSomerset social channels.
Detailed Repair Schedule
| Location | Start Date | End Date | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington Roundabout (A38) | January 5 | February 3 | 6:30pm-11:30pm | Initial resurfacing; full closure |
| Fore Street to Castle Way, Taunton | January 21 | February 3 | 6:30pm-11:30pm | Town center; business access prioritized |
| Hammet Street, Taunton | January 26 | February 18 | 6:30pm-11:30pm | Evening works; pedestrian maintained |
| Canal Roundabout, Bridgwater Lane, Hyde Lane / Langaller Way | February 5 | February 18 | 6:30pm-11:30pm | Avoids M5 overlap |
| Priorswood Roundabout (A358/A359) | February 16 | March 4 | Varies (24hr signals daytime) | Drainage first; northern leg closed |
| A38 Rumwell to Chelston | February 25 | March 10 | 6:30pm-7am | Overnight; shorter in residential zones |
| Wellington New Road Roundabout to Stonegallows | March 4 | March 23 | 6:30pm-11:30pm | Final A38 stretch |
| A38 Cann Street & A3027 Park Street | March 10 | March 30 | 6:30pm-11:30pm | Town entry points; last phase |
This table highlights overlaps for flexibility against winter delays, with gaps like Worlds End Junction deferred for upcoming safety upgrades.
Major Transport Projects Across Somerset
Beyond Taunton, Somerset eyes eight transformative projects teased in local media, including new bus hubs and rail enhancements to cut emissions and boost rural links. North Somerset’s Pill transport hub launches in January, featuring real-time screens, expanded shelters, and crossings funded by the Bus Service Improvement Plan—part of a wider push mirroring hubs at Weston Hospital.
The county’s Future Transport Plan, running through 2026, prioritizes integrated buses, cycling networks, and road safety via the Safe Roads strategy. Live Labs 2, a national decarbonization trial worth thirty million pounds, greens Taunton works with low-carbon materials monitored until 2031.
Council Investment Breakdown
Somerset allocates multimillion-pound budgets from Department for Transport grants, Live Labs, and local funds, targeting pothole prevention on A-roads carrying regional freight. The 2026 capital program eyes electric bus depots and signal upgrades, influenced by the upcoming Electric Vehicle Strategy.
Key Funding Sources and Allocations
| Source | Focus Areas | Estimated 2026 Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Local Transport Grant | Road resurfacing, bus shelters | Covers A38/Taunton core; £2.3bn national pot |
| Live Labs 2 (DfT) | Low-carbon surfacing | Taunton pilot; monitoring to 2031 |
| Bus Service Improvement Plan | Hubs like Pill/Weston | Full funding for shelters, screens |
| Future Transport Plan | Cycling/walking networks | 10-year local plans; rail partnerships |
These investments aim to handle growth, with parking policies mandating EV-ready spaces in new developments.
Benefits and Challenges Ahead
Smoother A38 surfaces will slash accident risks, where potholes caused over two hundred reports last year, while hubs encourage public transport shifts reducing car dependency. Challenges include weather delays and coordinating with utilities avoiding fresh excavations on new asphalt.
Residents report issues via the council’s online portal, ensuring quick fixes. As 2026 unfolds, these projects position Somerset for resilient travel, blending repairs with green innovation.
Nikhita Jose is a journalist and content writer covering local news, community affairs, and public interest stories in Somerset. She focuses on clear, accurate reporting and brings a thoughtful, reader-first approach to regional journalism.