Shapps backs another A303 dualling scheme

04/02/2021 | CHRIS AMES

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has given the formal green light to a plan to add a further three miles of dual carriageway to the A303 in Somerset.

The upgrade, between Sparkford and Ilchester, aims to tackle congestion on a single carriageway section of the strategic route.

The announcement comes two months after Mr Shapps overruled the Planning Inspectorate to give the go-ahead for the project to dual the road between Amesbury and Berwick Down past Stonehenge, creating a highly controversial tunnel under the World Heritage Site.

Nick Harris (pictured), who has now taken over as acting chief executive of Highways England following the departure of Jim O’Sullivan, said: ‘We welcome the Secretary of State’s decision to upgrade the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester. Along with the A303 Stonehenge tunnel project, it is part of the biggest investment in our road network for a generation.

‘This scheme will support economic growth and facilitate a growth in jobs and housing by creating a free-flowing and reliable connection between the south east and south west.

‘It will also tackle a long-standing bottleneck, reduce journey times to the south-west and improve traffic flows in that area at peak times and during peak seasons.’

Highways England said that on an average day the road carries 23,500 vehicles, with numbers increasing significantly in the summer.

It said that having completed all the necessary surveys, it is now finalising the detailed design with contractors and currently anticipates starting on site in 2021.

The upgrade will include new and replacement slip roads, junctions and road bridges to replace existing junctions and direct access roads.

Highways England said it is also moving forward with the A358 Taunton to Southfields scheme – another dualling project.

All three schemes were part of the 2015-20 Road Investment Strategy, which pledged ‘a total A303/A30/A358 corridor package of commitments worth £2 billion’. In fact none of the projects started construction during the first roads period.

Highways England said the A358 scheme has been allocated to Taylor Woodrow, ‘which is progressing work on the preliminary design and initial survey work ahead of a public consultation’.

Cllr Geoff Brown, chair of shadow sub-national transport body Peninsula Transport, called the decision 'an important milestone in delivering much needed improvements to the A303/A358/A30 corridor'.

He added: 'There is still a way to go for the route as a whole and we will continue to work with the Department for Transport and Highways England to deliver end-to-end improvement along the corridor.'

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Highways Maintenance Manager

£49,764 - £53,817 per annum
We are looking for an experienced co-ordinator to join the team as a Highways Maintenance Manager Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Civil Enforcement Officer

£25,183 - £26,409
Are you looking for a role that allows you to earn whilst been outdoors across the district of North Yorkshire? Whitby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Civil Enforcement Officer

£25,183 - £26,409
Are you looking for a role that allows you to earn whilst been outdoors across the district of North Yorkshire? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Street Cleansing Technician (CDC)

Grade 6, £25,175 - £25,983 (Pay award pending) + 6% AIA
We are about to embark on an ambitious programme of change in our city centre Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Improvement Manager

£49,764 - £53,817 per annum
Would you like to be part of our friendly, supportive, Highways team? Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Delivery Manager

£69,123 - £72,783
This is an exciting role leading maintenance and construction delivery. Northumberland
Recruiter: Northumberland County Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Street Scene Workforce Support Officer

£27,711.00 - £30,559.00, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Street Scene Workforce Support Officer Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Officer

£33,366 - £37,035 per annum
We are seeking to recruit a Highways Officer based at our Highways Office in Whitby. Whitby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Project Engineer - Forward Programmes

Grade 11 £38,629 - £41,928 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset Council

Team Leader LGV Driver

£27,711.00 - £30,559.00, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver working from our Depot at South Kirkby. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Head of Highways and Transportation

£86,196
North Tyneside Council is committed to delivering outstanding services to people and places across the borough. North Tyneside, Tyne and Wear
Recruiter: North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

Works Technician

£37,399 (plus unsocial hours allowance)
The Works Technician is responsible for ensuring that the London Trams civils and off-track infrastructure Croydon (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Transport for London

Streetcare Operative / LGV Driver WMF2091e

£27,711.00 - £28,624.00
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated LGV Driver Ulverston, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2090e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Maintenance Team as Highways Network Technician. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Strategic Sites Transport Planner

£47,754 - £51,802 (Plus £4000 Market Forces Supplement) (Pay award pending)
Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council are seeking to appoint an ambitious transport planner. Pershore, Worcestershire
Recruiter: Wychavon District Council

Transportation Planning Officer

Band F, SCP 26-31 (£36,124 - £40,476 per annum)
Have you got a degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Planning, Geography or Town Planning? Sandwell, West Midlands
Recruiter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

REL Skip Driver

£27,711.00 - £30,559.00, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for an REL Skip Driver working from our depot at Castleford. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Mechanical and Electrical Engineer

£37,035- £41,511
We have an exciting opening to join our Property Team as a Mechanical & Electrical Engineer. Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW