Update on Somerset’s new M5 services as year-long roadworks loom

Temporary traffic lights looks set to be installed from the start of August

17:12, 29 Jun 2026Updated 17:12, 29 Jun 2026

Existing cycle link on Marsh Lane in Bridgwater(Image: Daniel Mumby/ Local Democracy Reporting Service)

Bridgwater motorists will have to endure an entire year of roadworks for the construction of a cycle link to new services planned near the M5.

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Notaro Land Ltd. secured outline planning permission in September 2021 to deliver a new services complex east of junction 24 of the motorway[1], on a large site west of Huntworth Lane.

Welcome Break revealed more detailed plans for the services in March 2025, which includes two new access points being created on Huntworth Lane - an entry-only slip road off the Huntworth roundabout, and a T-junction further along Huntworth Lane allowing vehicles to enter and exit.

Notaro is now intending to construct a new walking and cycling link between the services and the existing cycle route along the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, providing access to Bridgwater town centre.[2]

To achieve this, temporary traffic lights will be installed on Marsh Lane, near the entrance to the Boat and Anchor pub, from August 6 and will remain in place for up to 12 months.

Entrance to the Boat and Anchor pub on Marsh Lane in Bridgwater(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)

The new services will include an amenity building, petrol filling station and a drive-thru coffee shop - which the illustrative designs suggest strongly will be a Starbucks outlet, adding to the existing outlets at Hankridge Farm in Taunton (off junction 25) and at Dunball in northern Bridgwater (off junction 23).

The services will have 324 car parking bays (including 20 accessible bays and 54 electric vehicle charging bays), eight motorcycle parking bays, ten caravan parking bays (including two accessible bays), eight coach bays and 39 HGV parking spaces.

To the north of the services, Notaro intends to deliver additional employment facilities, accessed off a spine road heading from the proposed new Huntworth Lane roundabout.

The new cycle link will branch off this spine road at its northern terminus, cross an existing public right of way (which runs to an existing footbridge over the motorway), wind through existing farmland west of Huntworth Lane and emerge onto Huntworth Lane near the junction with Marsh Lane.

Plans for new M5 services, associated employment units and new cycle link in Bridgwater(Image: LHC / Local Democracy Reporting Service)

This will enable a direct connection to Bridgwater's wider cycle network, including the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal towpath (part of National Cycle Network route 3) and the segregated paths along Squibbers Way - the latter of which links up with the Celebration Mile.

The new connection forms part of a wider aspiration within the Bridgwater local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP) to improve active travel links between the town centre and developments on the southern edge of the town - including the services and the numerous housing developments within the neighbouring parish of North Petherton.

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: "The provisional programme is estimated by Notaro's contractor to be approximately 12 months, based on the list of highway works the developer has to deliver under the outline planning permission.

"There is no council funding supporting these works. Welcome Break appears to be a lead occupier of the site that is being delivered by Notaro."

Bridge leading over the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal to the Boat and Anchor pub on Marsh Lane in Bridgwater(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service/ Daniel Mumby)

Marsh Lane is often used as a rat run by motorists wishing to reach the M5 while avoiding congestion on the A38 Taunton Road.

Further details of these and other roadworks in the Bridgwater area can be found by visiting www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/roadworks-and-travel.[3]

Welcome Break currently operates several other services along the M5 - including the northbound Sedgemoor services (between junction 22 and 21), the Gordano services near Bristol (at junction 19) and the Michaelwood services in Gloucestershire (near junction 13).

The company - which is based in Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire - has not given an indication of how many new jobs will be created at the Bridgwater site if planning consent is granted.

The council is expected to make a final decision on the detailed plans for the new services before Christmas.

A decision is also expected soon on plans for a similar Welcome Break complex west of the A303[4] off the Cartgate roundabout near Yeovil.

References

1. ^ new services complex east of junction 24 of the motorway (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^ Bridgwater town centre. (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
3. ^ www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/roadworks-and-travel. (www.somerset.gov.uk)
4. ^ Welcome Break complex west of the A303 (www.somersetlive.co.uk)