30mph speed limit coming to major Somerset roundabout near M5

It will be in force for a number of weeks

11:43, 19 Jan 2026

The Edithmead roundabout seen from the A38 Bristol Road in Highbridge(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)

A 30mph speed limit will be in place for two months on a major Somerset roundabout near the M5, Somerset Council has announced.

The council has been working with North Somerset Council[2] to implement numerous improvements along the A38 between the M5 and Bristol Airport[3], in a bid to cut congestion, speed up journeys and make the road safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

One of the main schemes will see the Edithmead roundabout - which links the motorway to Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge[4] - upgraded into a 'throughabout', allowing traffic from the motorway to move straight onto the northbound A38.

Somerset Council announced on January 16 that advanced work would begin on the roundabout from today (January 19), with contractors removing trees and other vegetation before the main scheme begins later in the year.

To allow this work to be carried out safety, a 30mph speed limit will be in force on all approaches to the roundabout - a speed limit which will remain in place until at least March 20.

Proposed upgrades to the Edithmead roundabout in Highbridge(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)

Some lane closures will be required during this period, with the council's official roadworks portal indicating that the A38 Bristol Road north of the roundabout may be reduced to a single lane at times (with temporary signals or stop-go boards being put in place).

Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said: "It's good to see this important work go ahead.

"We have lobbied hard to secure the money to improve a busy and vital stretch of the A38 in Somerset.

"We understand people may be concerned about the clearance; rest assured there will be a full landscaping package for greenery after the project has concluded."

The design of the 'throughabout' is expected to be similar to the recently completed Dunball scheme in Bridgwater, which was funded primarily through the government's levelling up fund.

Like the Dunball scheme (which cost GBP10.7m to implement), all approaches to the roundabout will be signalised, with additional pedestrian and cycling[5] links being added on all approaches if possible, in line with the aims of the Burnham and Highbridge local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP).

These latest roadworks will overlap with the replacement of traffic lights at a key pedestrian crossing on the B3140 Love Lane in Burnham-on-Sea, which was scheduled to begin on Monday (January 12).

More than GBP26m has been provisionally allocated by the Department for Transport (DfT) for the ten schemes between Highbridge and Bristol Airport, with the final business cases for each scheme being submitted by the two councils by the summer of 2026.

Of this funding, just over GBP16m will go towards North Somerset Council's six schemes and around GBP8.6m will be allocate for the four schemes in Somerset - with the bulk of the latter going towards the Edithmead roundabout upgrade.

The other three schemes being funded within the Somerset Council are as follows:

Rooksbridge road safety improvements: new road markings and possibly traffic calming measures will be put in place to slow traffic speeds through the village and improve pedestrian safety

Redesigning the Cross junction: this busy junction sees the A38 Bridgwater Road join Old Cross Road into the small village of Cross and Cross Lane towards Axbridge and Cheddar. The junction will be remodelled into a staggered junction to improve road safety, with some land being purchased from neighbouring landowners

Improving the Strawberry Line crossing: the Strawberry Line active travel route currently crosses the A38 at Shute Shelve, on the edge of the Mendip Hills, via a staggered 'sheep-pen'-style crossing.

This crossing will be improved to make it safer - with the Strawberry Line Society pushing for it to be replaced with a new footbridge, similar to one installed over the B3136 West Shepton in Shepton Mallet back in October 2024

Somerset Council has not indicated how soon the full construction programme at the Edithmead roundabout could begin, or how long it is expected to take.

References

1. ^ Daniel Mumby (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^ North Somerset Council (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
3. ^ Bristol Airport (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
4. ^ Highbridge (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
5. ^ cycling (www.somersetlive.co.uk)