The northern bypass for Bridgwater isn’t going to happen. That’s the view of the head of Somerset County Council John Osman. Speaking to the Mercury at Moorland Village Hall he said they were aware of the massive hit the economy takes everytime there’s a major crash on the M5 which brings the area to a standstill.

“That’s why we are keen of upgrading the A303,” he said, “duelling it along with the Ilminster to Taunton road because we realise that if there is a serious incident on the M5 the county can effectively become gridlocked. I was caught up in it two weeks ago and spent two hours trapped in the traffic. So we will push for the duelling of the A303 and the A358 and hope to have good news on those projects soon.”

He said the northern bypass had been discussed for as long as he could remember.

“The bottom line is that when the Government and EDF discussed it,” he said, “and despite the town council and local residents saying it was a good idea we were unsuccessful in getting it. The Government were not inclined to spend the money. It would be a substantial spend in building it but unfortunately there was no support in the Government and EDF for it.”

There were improvements being made to the transport network at the moment. He said the experts say the changes at J24 will make a difference and allow the extra Hinkley Point traffic to flow.

However Sedgemoor District Councillor Ian Dyer told the Mercury last year the bypass would be built eventually as it would be needed.

Should the powers that be combine to discuss a new proposal to build a bypass for Bridgwater or do you think the improvements at J24 will do the job? Your views to harry.mottram@nqsw.co.uk