Work to start on junction for housing developments

Developments are planned on both sides of the A39

Work on a new set of crossroads will soon begin, ahead of more than 1,000 houses being built.

Planning permission for two major developments on either side of the A39 Quantock Road, Bridgwater, has been granted, with legal discussions ongoing.

After numerous delays, Bridgwater Town Council said the construction of a crossroads linking the developments to the A-road would start by the end of January.

The junction was a key part of a legal agreement after both schemes were approved.

Cavanna Homes and Martin Grant plan to build 675 homes, as well as a primary school and neighbourhood centre, on one side of the A39. Permisson Homes Severn Valley is planning 352 homes on the other.

At a recent Bridgwater Town Council meeting, more details about the roadworks were announced.

There will be a four way junction linking the developments and a bus loop

The meeting was told the work would take 50 weeks and dual lanes would be maintained, meaning there will be no traffic lights.

“A 20mph speed limit will be enforced on the A39 during the construction and then the 30mph area will be extended past the new road junctions," a spokesperson said.

Somerset Council confirmed in August 2023 the cost of the crossroads would be entirely covered by Cavanna Homes and no taxpayer money would be used.

As for when the houses themselves will be ready, Cavanna Homes said it hoped the first phase of homes would be occupied by Easter 2025, but this would depend on market forces.

The Persimmon development legal agreement has not yet been signed and so there is no start date.