A303 Sparkford to Ilchester

[solocle]

So how is this project going? Anyone been that way recently?

The eastbound side of the existing dual carriageway at the Podimore end is being dug up in preparation for realignment to the new dual carriageway, so is currently a contraflow with temp traffic lights operating part-time. There's a lot more to see from the road now, with the new alignment visbile and new bridges in place.

I do wonder if they are on track for the March 2024 deadline for completion but I'm sure they know what they are doing!

Drove through today, lots to be seen, kerbstones in place for the new carriageway.

[SteveA30]

Took pics on Friday from the car but, hardly anything to see from the road, unlike the panoramic views of the works in Cornwall. Will have to park somewhere and walk around. Tricky with laybys and side turns closed. No deviation from the old road yet though.

[AAndy]

Video update East here: https://youtu.be/rJ_qvbfAqxk
West: https://youtu.be/T8ugNxjQgPM
.
And nearside side view heading east : https://youtu.be/hhAgRA5ZGD0

[Norfolktolancashire]

Video update East here: https://youtu.be/rJ_qvbfAqxk
West: https://youtu.be/T8ugNxjQgPM
.
And nearside side view heading east : https://youtu.be/hhAgRA5ZGD0

Good videos, these side camera's on vehicles are handy sometimes!

Interesting how the middle section has near enough re-greened itself due to the lack of construction.

[Herned]

Thanks for the videos. March 2024 completion looks optimistic to me

[AAndy]

Video update East here: https://youtu.be/rJ_qvbfAqxk
West: https://youtu.be/T8ugNxjQgPM
.
And nearside side view heading east : https://youtu.be/hhAgRA5ZGD0

Good videos, these side camera's on vehicles are handy sometimes!

Interesting how the middle section has near enough re-greened itself due to the lack of construction.

Theres a lot of interesting stuff in the side views that I miss when driving... + in that vehicle the camera is 2' higher than my eyes.

Thanks for the videos. March 2024 completion looks optimistic to me

If all the embankments and cuttings and bridges are sorted I can see a couple of months of catapillar and tarmac work will sort it, but it does appear, and has done each time I've driven it, to be understaffed and I am left wondering if, with more working on site why it couldn't have been finished by now....perhaps they progressed so well in the early days they have sent staff elsewhere?

[SteveA30]

Stopped at the site on Friday Aug 4 as it's the only way to see the work properly. The only surfaced section is both c/ways at the Podimore end. The work at the photo location hasn't changed for some time. The old A303 in Pic 3 will have to go at some point. Perhaps they are waiting for the peak summer traffic to finish. There is half a rbt on the opposite south side of the road also waiting for completion. Perhaps the traffic will use the new D2 from Podimore to the dumbell bridge but, there is no sign of a temp route, unless it is on the far northern side of the new road. No tarmac at Sparkford but formation taking shape.

[Berk]

It does seem like there’s a hell of a lot of work to do, even if the civils have been proceeding quietly in the background.

I don’t think it will be ready by next spring at all; next summer (12 months ahead) might be optimistic. There could even be another 9 months of finishing works, as is often the case.

Apparently construction started in October 21, which was 8 months after the DCO was granted. If it does take almost 3 years, it wouldn’t be exceptional. But this is a fairly simple scheme in highways terms.

[Herned]

I drove through this scheme a couple of times in the last week. It absolutely does not look like it will open in the next 7 months, as per the signs. The two sections where it crosses the existing road have barely nothing done. It may well be the case they are ignoring that during summer but what's visible on the rest of the route doesn't look anywhere near done either.

[AAndy]

I drove through this scheme a couple of times in the last week. It absolutely does not look like it will open in the next 7 months, as per the signs. The two sections where it crosses the existing road have barely nothing done. It may well be the case they are ignoring that during summer but what's visible on the rest of the route doesn't look anywhere near done either.

The lack of activity is surprising. However, they have tarmaced a couple more bits of the new carriageway, including a section near Sparkford. They've also started grading the small section thats on the southern side of the existing road this week (see photos below).

A video heading east from a few days ago: https://youtu.be/B0ec8_fnAQY

and the side vie w of that journey: https://youtu.be/AENs9GHoZgo

[WHBM]

Came up it last Sunday, as noted in other threads, feel likewise about progress, honestly looked to me like they were 9 months in. Started October 21, for a March 2024 opening ? 28 weeks (less Christmas) to completion ? C'mon.

The east end tie in seemed not even started. There was a very substantial line of dump trucks standing idle to one side, obviously they are not doing Sunday working, and equally the heavy earthworks are in the early stages of such a project, they should be gone by now.

2025 ?

[Berk]

I thought the temporary bridge was for earthworks (or moving spoil)??

Even if they’ve made an underpass at Hazelgrove, it seems to be taking a very long time.

[deadeye]

Good to see that the project is progressing even if at a slow pace. Will actually be a decent road between Ilminster and Mere when it's completed.

[SteveM]

I see GSV has been updated with an Aug 23 drive through, so a good up to date review of progress. Still seems a lot to do, but by zooming in at certain points (e.g. looking southbound as the new work leaves the line of the existing A303 approaching Hazelgrove roundabout - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.03386 ... ?entry=ttu) you can see the bulk of the earthworks seem to be in place now. Good view of work at Steart Hill as the GSV includes side roads as well.

[Berk]

I’m still struggling to see how the old road will tie in with the underpass. It’s like everything’s running 6 months behind.

[jackal]

I see GSV has been updated with an Aug 23 drive through, so a good up to date review of progress. Still seems a lot to do, but by zooming in at certain points (e.g. looking southbound as the new work leaves the line of the existing A303 approaching Hazelgrove roundabout - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.03386 ... ?entry=ttu) you can see the bulk of the earthworks seem to be in place now. Good view of work at Steart Hill as the GSV includes side roads as well.

Not sure why they felt the need to dig up the last bit of eastbound carriageway coming away from Podimore?
Before: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.02386 ... ?entry=ttu
After: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.02372 ... ?entry=ttu

[SteveM]

I see GSV has been updated with an Aug 23 drive through, so a good up to date review of progress. Still seems a lot to do, but by zooming in at certain points (e.g. looking southbound as the new work leaves the line of the existing A303 approaching Hazelgrove roundabout - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.03386 ... ?entry=ttu) you can see the bulk of the earthworks seem to be in place now. Good view of work at Steart Hill as the GSV includes side roads as well.

Not sure why they felt the need to dig up the last bit of eastbound carriageway coming away from Podimore?
Before: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.02386 ... ?entry=ttu
After: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.02372 ... ?entry=ttu

Probably to take out the incorrect superelevation, to account for the new road layout being on a slight left hander earlier than on the old layout which approached the end of DC straighter.

[ryzzey]

Looks like this is months behind schedule, now looking at completion at the end of 2024. Can't say I'm suprised looking at the current status of it. Article here: https://blackmorevale.net/a303-dualling ... ays-claim/

[WHBM]

What did I say ?

2025 ?

Who is the main contractor ?

[AAndy]

I drove along it this week and they were laying tarmac on the new D2 alignment at the western end, proabably 1/4 miles worth.!