THE £2.9million works on the Huntworth Roundabout in Bridgwater is making good progress, according to Somerset County Council.

The changes and improvements began back in October 2015 and aimed to increase traffic capacity and ease future congestion on the Taunton Road and M5 access.

The council stated that the work should be completed before the end of May this year, with an update being on issued on April 7.

A Somerset County Council spokesperson said: "Works are making good progress at the roundabout in Bridgwater.

"Works to the northwest corner of the roundabout and the Campion Way island are almost complete.

"Works are progressing on the central island and the link from the M5 roundabout is being in the process of being widened.

"Lanes are currently closed on each approach to provide safe working areas for the contractor and to reduce traffic speed around the junction."

North Petherton Town Councillor, Mrs Helen Phillips, agrees that the work is coming along but there is still queuing on the A38.

She said: "While it is great that the works are coming along nicely, and the workers have been considerate and helpful putting in a small footpath by the bus stop, which we've wanted for years, the A38 in both directions is often queued back for quite some distance.

"You can see the frustration on the faces of the drivers and passengers.

"It is also a shame that local people were not employed to do the job, rather than workers travelling some distance.

"It has been noticed by many that the workers have left hours before the light or weather conditions warrant it, and perhaps we could have been spared a few weeks disruption had this not been the case."

Helen said the works will be worth it if they do lead to improvements, but fears this may not be the case.

"I suppose it will all be worth it if the road works really do lead to the promised improvements, sadly I know I am far from alone in fearing this will not be the case," she added.

"The problem has historically been related to the location of the service station and the congested and narrow A38 - this has not changed.

"The main change is that many more hundreds of vehicles are now also trying to use the roundabout and roads, and yet more development is planned for Wilstock, Stockmoor, the agricultural business area and Bridgwater Gateway.

"I really hope I'm wrong, but I fear the road improvement works' will in fact just be road works. Time will be tell."

Share your views with rebecca.heyes@countygazette.co.uk