Somerset Council and North Somerset Council have kicked off essential advance works at the M5 Junction 22 Edithmead Roundabout on January 19, 2026, marking the first phase of a transformative A38 corridor improvement scheme. Located near Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea, this busy interchange handles heavy motorway traffic heading to Bristol Airport and beyond, often plagued by congestion, inconsistent journey times, and safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists. The initial vegetation clearance and preparatory tasks run until late March, introducing a temporary 30mph speed limit and lane restrictions to ensure worker safety amid the winter weather challenges.
Funded by over £26 million from the Department for Transport, the broader project aims to create a modern throughabout—similar to Bridgwater’s Dunball Roundabout—allowing seamless M5 northbound flows onto the A38 without full stops. While disruptions loom for commuters, businesses, and airport travelers, councils promise long-term gains in reliability, active travel options, and economic support for housing growth. Real-time updates via @TravelSomerset guide drivers through phased impacts.
Project Background and Objectives
The Edithmead scheme forms part of a 10-project A38 upgrade from M5 Junction 22 to the South Bristol Link, addressing chronic bottlenecks where junctions near capacity during peaks. Somerset’s rural economy relies on this artery for farm access, tourism to Burnham beaches, and logistics to Weston-super-Mare. Pre-works surveys identified overgrown vegetation obscuring sightlines, prompting clearance as priority one.
Key goals include signalizing all roundabout arms for better traffic light control, enhanced pedestrian crossings, cycle lanes linking to the Strawberry Line trail, and bus priority measures. Safety upgrades target blackspot risks, while the throughabout cuts delays by 20-30 percent based on modeling. Environmental mitigations feature replacement planting post-construction, with native species boosting biodiversity along the Levels.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset’s Transport Lead, emphasized lobbying success: «This vital stretch demanded action—we’ve secured funding to deliver smoother, safer journeys.» North Somerset partners align on shared borders, coordinating with Highways England for M5 interfaces.
Advance Works Timetable
Phase one focuses on non-intrusive prep to minimize intrusion before main construction later in 2026.
January 19 to Late March 2026: Vegetation Clearance and Site Prep
| Period | Activities | Traffic Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 19-23 | Initial tree felling, scrub removal | 30mph limit all approaches, signage |
| Jan 26-Feb 6 | Lane closures (off-peak 9:30am-3pm) | Convoy working on A38 slips |
| Feb 10-Mar 6 | Root extraction, drainage checks | Night works possible (10pm-5am) |
| Mar 10-Late Mar | Final surveys, temporary surfacing | Full roundabout access restored |
Works operate weekdays 7am-5pm, weather permitting, with Met Office monitoring to pause during storms. No full closures planned, but peak avoidance (7-9am, 4-6pm) reduces queues. Airport access stays open via dedicated lanes.
Main scheme timeline awaits Final Business Case approval by summer 2026, eyeing autumn start and 18-24 month delivery.
Expected Traffic Disruptions
Commuters face moderate impacts on this high-volume node—daily 40,000 vehicles, peaking at 3,000/hour southbound. The 30mph enforced limit across A38 approaches, B3140, and slip roads curbs speeds for machinery ops, monitored by average speed cameras.
Lane rentals hit during scrub clearance: Northbound A38 slip may narrow to one lane weekdays, adding 5-10 minutes for Highbridge-Burnham trips. M5 southbound off-slip stays two lanes but with reduced merges. Diversions unlikely, but queues possible at Rooksbridge (J23) during overlaps.
Airport travelers note: Bristol-bound add 15 minutes; use WSM link as alt. HGVs reroute minimally via A370 if needed. Real-time via Highways England app or @TravelSomerset.
Disruption Risk Levels
| Route Segment | Impact Level | Peak Delay Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| M5 J22 Roundabout | Medium | 5-15 mins |
| A38 N/Burnham | High | 10-20 mins |
| B3140 to Highbridge | Low-Medium | 3-8 mins |
| Bristol Airport | Medium | 10-15 mins |
Businesses like Burnham’s retail parks report stockpile preps; farms plan early livestock moves.
Alternative Routes and Mitigation Strategies
Somerset urges proactive planning with mapped diversions.
Recommended Alternatives
- Bristol Airport: A370 via Weston-super-Mare (add 20 mins), or M5 J21 to A370.
- Highbridge Local: B3140 singles via Mark, avoiding roundabout east.
- Southbound M5: Carry on to J23 Rooksbridge, U-turn north.
- Freight: A39 coastal to M5 J21, GPS SatNav updates.
Mitigations shine: Variable message signs from Ilchester, 24/7 helpline (0300 123 2224), and community drop-ins at Burnham Library Jan 21. Free shuttle trials link cycle paths for short hops. Apps integrate Waze-style alerts.
Safety Measures During Works
Worker protection tops priorities: High-friction surfacing prevents skids, floodlights enable low-light ops, and barriers shield zones. Public safety via 100m advance warnings, speed vans, and patrols. Vegetation teams use low-emission chippers, minimizing dust.
Winter risks addressed: Salt bins doubled at approaches, gritters prioritized. Pedestrians gain temporary crossings; cyclists arrowed detours. Emergency access preserved via green corridors.
Councils collaborate with Avon & Somerset Police for incident response, targeting 10-minute clearances.
Long-Term Benefits Post-Completion
The throughabout revolutionizes flow: Signals sync M5 exits directly to A38, cutting stops by 40 percent per simulations. Cycle superhighways connect to NCN route 3, bus lanes shave minutes for X23 services.
Economic wins: Reliable access unlocks 2,000 homes, retail parks expand. Safety projections: 25 percent crash reductions via better geometry. Regional growth supported—Bristol Airport expansion needs fluid links.
Landscaping restores 150 percent more greenery: Wetland scrapes aid wildlife, wildflower meadows edge verges.
Projected Improvements Table
| Aspect | Current Issue | Post-Works Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Journey Reliability | Peak queues 20+ mins | 70% on-time improvement |
| Active Travel | Poor crossings, no cycles | 5km new paths, signals |
| Capacity | Near saturation | +25% vehicles handled |
| Safety | Sightline blocks | 25% fewer incidents |
Community Engagement and Feedback
Pre-works roadshows at Mark, East Brent drew 200 residents; 85 percent backed scheme despite tree worries. Wilkins reassures: «Every felled tree plants two—native oaks, hazels for Levels habitat.»
Ongoing: Monthly updates via Somerset Live, parish mags. Objections handled per planning regs—final case summer 2026.
Business liaison group meets Kier weekly; compensation for access losses claimable.
Economic and Environmental Considerations
£26m injection creates 150 jobs peak, boosting Highbridge suppliers. Supply chain local: Somerset quarries for aggregates, Chard asphalt.
Green focus: 20 percent less concrete via recycled materials, solar CCTV powers signals. Noise walls cut decibels 10dB for locals. Carbon audit targets net-zero construction.
Airport synergies: Passenger growth to 15m/year demands resilience.
Nearby Schemes Synergy
Edithmead links Rooksbridge markings, Cross staggered junction, Shute Shelve crossings. Phasing staggers pain: Rooksbridge preps Feb, minimizing overlaps.
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.