Speed limit to be in place at major roundabout

A 30mph (48km/h) speed limit will be in place for two months on a major roundabout near the M5.

Somerset and North Somerset councils have been working on improvements along the A38 between the M5 and Bristol Airport, in a bid to cut congestion and make the road safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

One of the main schemes will see the Edithmead roundabout – which links the motorway to Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge – upgraded into a 'throughabout', allowing traffic from the M5 to move straight on to the northbound A38.

Somerset Council announced on Friday advanced work would begin on the roundabout from Monday, with contractors removing trees before the main scheme begins later in the year.

To allow this work to be carried out safety, a 30mph speed limit will be in force on all approaches to the roundabout – a speed limit which will remain in place until at least 20 March.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said: "We have lobbied hard to secure the money to improve a busy and vital stretch of the A38 in Somerset.

He said "we understand people may be concerned about the clearance" but added "there will be a full landscaping package for greenery after the project has concluded".

The design of the 'throughabout' is expected to be similar to the recently completed Dunball scheme in Bridgwater.

More than £26m has been provisionally allocated by the Department for Transport for 10 schemes between Highbridge and Bristol Airport, with the final business cases for each scheme being submitted by the two councils by the summer of 2026.

Somerset Council has not indicated when the work at the Edithmead roundabout will begin, or how long it is expected to take.

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