WORK to upgrade the crucial A358 between the M5 and Taunton town centre will get under way in the spring.

Somerset County Council will be making improvements to the Creech Castle junction within the A358 Toneway, designed to increase capacity, improve traffic flow and provide better facilities for cyclists.

The council consulted on the proposals in October and November 2018, including the impact it would have on the A38 and the “urban extension” housing developments at Monkton Heathfield.

The authority has now confirmed work will begin in April 2020 – meaning the work will run alongside the ongoing upgrade of Junction 25 of the M5.

An update on the Toneway scheme came before the council’s cabinet meeting in Taunton on Wednesday morning (September 25).

The council said the work was on “a very tight programme”, given the progress on the Junction 25 upgrade, which is expected to be completed in the summer of 2021.

A spokesman said: “The programme has been revised, with construction now planned to commence in April 2020.

“The project is in the detailed design stage. This is expected to be completed by the end of September, with procurement commencing in autumn 2019 and construction commencing in April 2020.”

The initial designs for the improved junction (which were consulted on in the autumn of 2018) show that eastbound traffic on the A358 will no longer be able to turn right onto Bridgwater Road, towards the Premier Inn.

Instead, all three lanes will be straight ahead only, with the slip road remaining in place for those turning left towards Monkton Heathfield.

On the westbound side approaching the junction, the designs show three lanes of straight ahead traffic and one lane for turning right onto the A38.

New pedestrian and cyclist crossing will also be put in place as part of a drive to get people to commute into town by sustainable transport, thus relieving further pressure on the road network.

The total cost of the scheme has not yet been confirmed, but the council has been awarded £6.41M towards the work by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which funds major infrastructure projects designed to increase economic growth.

The council has said it will confirm the precise start date for the work – along with the details of any diversions which will be needed – once it has appointed a contractor.

A spokesman said: “The Toneway project is in the detailed design stage and we will shortly be going out to tender.

“Once a contractor has been appointed we’ll be able to confirm details for delivery, including start dates, time-scales and how the scheme will be co-ordinated with other works.”