A358 Taunton to Southfields (CANCELLED)
Somerset, UK · Planning/Development (c. 2017-2024); Cancelled October 2024 · £250M - £500M (estimated cost before cancellation)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe scheme was cancelled in October 2024 due to poor value for money and limited economic benefits, as announced in the Government's budget. - This highlights the critical importance of robust economic justification and value for money assessments for major infrastructure projects. - Public consultations were held, indicating significant planning and design work undertaken before cancellation.
Key engineering challenges
Addressing significant traffic congestion on the existing single carriageway A358. - Integrating the new dual carriageway with existing road networks and local communities. - Managing environmental impacts in the rural Somerset landscape. - Demonstrating value for money for a project with potentially limited economic benefits.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- National Highways
- Lead contractor
- N/A (main construction not started)
- Lead designers
- N/A (design stages were ongoing)
- Project type
- upgrade (cancelled)
- Scale
- Proposed 8.5 miles (13.7 km) of new dual carriageway between the M5 at Taunton and Southfields Roundabout on the A303.
- Disciplines
- civil; environmental; transport planning
- Standards & frameworks
- DMRB; CDM Regulations
Sources: National Highways (https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-west/a358-taunton-to-southfields/) - West Hatch Parish Council (https://westhatchparish.gov.uk/news/cancellation-of-the-a358-improvement-scheme/) - New Civil Engineer (https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/national-highways-pulls-back-on-plan-to-submit-dco-application-for-500m-a358-dualling-11-12-2023/)