A303

A303

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From:

Popham (SU551446)

To:

Upottery (ST218075)

Length:

95 miles (152.9 km)

Meets:

M3, A30, A34, A36, A37, A358

Former Number(s):

A30, A342, A344, A358, A3036, B3049, B3169, B3170

Primary Destinations

Andover • Basingstoke •

Highways Authorities

Highways Agency

Traditional Counties

Devon, Dorset, Hampshire • Somerset • Wiltshire

This article is about the current A303, which is a trunk road from the M3 at Popham to a junction with the A30 near Honiton.
For the original, a small London road which ran between Vauxhall and Wandsworth and was replaced by the A3036, see A303 (Vauxhall - Wandsworth).

The A303 is the middle section of the London-Exeter trunk road. The A303 takes a more northerly route though Salisbury plain than the A30 and it is mostly D2. Passing places like Andover, Stonehenge and Wincanton it also carries much of the Summer traffic from London.

Route

The Amesbury bypass in 2007

Main Article: A303/Route

The A303 has a variety of standards along its route. From a high quality grade separated dual carriageway in the east, it ends up as a winding single carriageway road in the west, with various standards in between. The route description examines them.

History

Main Article: A303/History

The current A303 began life in 1933. Made up of lots of various roads, some dating to 2000 BC in the Stonehenge area, it had had a vast array of improvements. When the M3 opened, the A303 and not the A30 became the main trunk road between Basingstoke and Devonshire House

Notable locations and improvements

Bullington Cross

The westbound Fork sign

Main Article: Bullington Cross

The first major junction for the A303 after the M3 going West, Bullington Cross is a major junction. This is where the A30 leaves the A303 behind and is the junction for the A34.

Stonehenge Bottom

The junction in 2010

Main Article: Stonehenge Bottom

Stonehenge Bottom is the junction for Stonehenge. It is very busy thoughout the year specally when it is around the time of the Solstice.

Podimore Roundabout

The junction in a wet April 2008

Main Article: Podimore Roundabout

Podimore Roundaboutt links the A303, the A37 and A372. It is flared for future use.

Opening Dates

Month	Year	Section	Notes
	1933	Whole road	A303 created.
April	1958	Whole road	Gains trunk road status
Sept	1969	Andover	D2 by-pass opens
	1986?	Weyhill	D2 by-pass opens
	1960's	Amesbury	D2 by-pass
		Mere	D2 by-pass
		Wincanton	D2 by-pass
		Sparkford	D2 by-pass
	1987	Ilminster	S2 bypass of Ilminster.
		Marsh	D2 by-pass