Major upgrade to busy A38 crossing scaled back by Somerset Council
A planned upgrade to a major crossing over the busy A38 has been scaled back by Somerset Council.
The council has been working with North Somerset Council on a range of schemes to improve the A38 between the M5 and Bristol Airport, in a bid to shorten journey times, cut congestion and improve road safety.
One of the schemes originally intended to install a signal-controlled crossing on the A38 Shute Shelve near Axbridge, replacing the existing uncontrolled crossing which forms part of the Strawberry Line long-distance cycle-route
But following feedback from local residents, Somerset Council has rowed back on these plans, with smaller-scale improvements being implemented instead.
The current crossing lies on the edge of the Mendip Hills national landscape (following area of outstanding natural beauty, or AONB), providing a link between Winscombe and Axbridge (with onwards travel possible towards Cheddar).
The crossing has a ‘sheep pen’ arrangement, with pedestrians and cyclists having little space to congregate while avoiding HGVs and traffic heading towards the airport.
This section of the path is currently used by more than 150,000 people per year, according to surveys carried out by the Strawberry Line Society.
The Society had pushed for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge to be installed here, along the lines of a similar structure installed over the B3136 West Shepton in Shepton Mallet in October 2024.
The council confirmed on Wednesday (July 29) that the scheme in its original form would not be taken forward, with some of the funding being recycled into other schemes within the A38 programme.
A spokesperson said: “The A38 major road network programme has been developed and refined through the business case process to ensure it remains deliverable, provides value for money, and reflects feedback from stakeholders and local communities.
“As part of this process, some elements of the scheme have been reviewed and adjusted.
“At Shute Shelve, the current proposals focus on delivering appropriate safety improvements, rather than the introduction of full signalisation as previously considered.
“Community feedback was clear and we took this on board – local people did not want it signalised.”
The signalisation of this crossing was originally estimated to cost more than £500,000, compared to around £1m for installing a new bridge.
All elements of the A38 programme within Somerset Council’s boundaries will be implemented by Centregreat – the same company which delivered the £10.7m upgrade to the Dunball roundabout in Bridgwater.
The council said it had no plans or funding to implement an alternative crossing at Shute Shelve in the immediate future, but was open to future conversations about potential improvements in the area.
The spokesperson added: “The funding associated with the scheme remains allocated to the A38 package as a whole, supporting a range of improvements along the corridor.
“With regard to longer-term aspirations, such as a potential bridge at this location, there are currently no confirmed plans beyond the scope of the A38 programme.
“Any future proposals would be subject to separate development, funding availability, and further engagement.
“The final business case has been submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT), and we are awaiting their decision.
“At this stage, there is no confirmed timeline for approval or for the commencement of works. Further details will be shared once they are available.”
Mick Fletcher, chairman of the Strawberry Line Society, welcomed the council’s decision and said he was optimistic that a bridge could be be delivered there in the near-future.
He said: “We are pleased that the council has responded to local advice and will not be taking forward a signalised crossing, which we feel would have been a waste of public money.
“While it is understandable that the savings can only be reallocated within the A38 package, we are disappointed that the council could not give a clearer indication of support for a bridge as the only sensible long-term solution.
“I had been given to understand that the council had accepted the case for a bridge and that preliminary design work was included in their forward plans.”