A HIGHWAYS England public exhibition about proposals to upgrade the A358 between Taunton and Ilminster's Southfields Roundabout is taking place next week.

The event is at the Holiday Inn, Taunton, on Friday, June 30.

The exhibition will run from 10am to 7pm and is open to everyone.

The event will offer visitors the opportunity to view the proposals and to talk to the project team.

The A358 between Taunton and Southfields Roundabout currently comprises a mix of dual and single lane carriageway, leading to localised congestion that can have an impact on journey times.

The proposal is to create a dual carriageway link from the M5 near Taunton to the A303, part of a larger plan, as set out in the Government’s Road Investment Strategy 2015-2020, to develop an expressway between London and the South East to the South West, making journeys faster and safer.

Highways England has extended the consultation period - which was originally due to end in May - and will now accept responses from the public and other stakeholders up to midnight on Sunday, July 16.

For those unable to attend the event in person, the proposals, and an opportunity to provide feedback, can be found online at the Highways England website and at public information points including:

  • Taunton Deane Borough Council;
  • South Somerset District Council;
  • Somerset County Council offices;
  • Taunton Library;
  • Ilminster Meeting and Arts Centre;
  • South Petherton Library;
  • Martock Library;
  • Henlade Post Office.

Project Manager David Stock said: “Gathering a wide range of views from the local community will help us shape our plans for the next stage.

"A second round of public consultation will follow in 2018, when we will ask for feedback on more refined proposals.

“This is the last of our series of five public events and we look forward to meeting people face to face to hear their views on how our plans could help deliver benefits to the area.”