A303 Sparkford to Ilchester

[jackal]

Major earthworks complete next month.

https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest ... 1-10-2022/

[AAndy]

Video I took this week. Eastbound.
https://youtu.be/knjauzGlsZQ

[Herned]

Thanks for sharing. Interesting that they have claimed major earthworks are complete, I assume the enormous embankment on the south side after the 4 minute mark isn't permanent

[FlyingBolt]

Those concrete barriers that line the sides of the road are horrible to drive alongside at night, in the pouring rain with the glaring oncoming headlights.

[hoagy_ytfc]

...I assume the enormous embankment on the south side after the 4 minute mark isn't permanent

Is it the ramp for the now-gone temporary bridge?

[AAndy]

Thanks for sharing. Interesting that they have claimed major earthworks are complete, I assume the enormous embankment on the south side after the 4 minute mark isn't permanent

my pleasure. I don't know whats meant to look like what, but it did appear to me to still need a fair amount of rock blasting at the cutting which is beyond the road opposite the white buildings seen 2mins 22 secs in on that video .

I've also done one heading West, but the sun was in my eyes so not the best... but, yes as others have said ... brilliant view of the somerset countryside, and will be better from the new road until the enevitable trees to be planted kerbside grow up and spoil it. See: https://youtu.be/rMMVGi3V9rc

please note: "Original Haynes manual HQ Building" writing is at wrong place in video, (1min 19 secs) should be where video briefly pauses at 1min 56sec

[JackieRoads]

With all the developments, does that mean work on the scheme is beginning?

[Herned]

Is it the ramp for the now-gone temporary bridge?

No, that was further back, before the bakery

[Chris5156]

With all the developments, does that mean work on the scheme is beginning?

Work started in summer 2021, so it's been under way for more than a year already.

[SteveA30]

A few pics of specific locations of the work this week.
1. The lunar landscape opposite the Mattia Diner.
2. The view east. The blue Fergusons artic can be seen on in the distance on the Sparkford bypass in a view blocked by trees until earlier this year. The future sweep of the D2 bypassing the rbt is now clear to see.
3. The atmosphere of a road dying can be sensed here, as the petrol station closes in advance of the new road opening. The house in the distance is also boarded up.

[SteveA30]

1. Heading west at Camel Cross. The old A303 is on the left, coming in from Yeovilton. The airfield was invisible from here until recently. Not sure why trees on the left of the A303 have been removed. The new D2 is to the right of the pond.

2. Looking west. There was a bank of trees on the right, as high as those on the left. The whole road is now far more open than it was.

[SteveA30]

Views from Feb 28. The Sparkford GSJ bridge is about half way there. The eastbound c/way is now taking shape at the Podimore end, not so much the w/bnd side.

[ryzzey]

Enjoying the updates Steve, please keep them coming.

I noticed an article in Somerset Live which had a nice aerial shot of the works: https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/som ... ow-8250154

[solocle]

Photos from a little sortie this evening:

[Richardf]

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

[Berk]

I’m going to visit that part of the world in early August, so will let you know.

[ryzzey]

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!

[multiraider2]

Hmm, I could have a nose on the way back next month. But it won't be pretty. Something like

this might work.

But then Podimore forwards sounds like it won't be fun in the holiday traffic. Perhaps on reflection, I'll wait until 2024.

[GeekyJames]

Does anyone know what's going on with the proposed A358 Taunton to Southfields upgrade?

[jackal]

Does anyone know what's going on with the proposed A358 Taunton to Southfields upgrade?

See A358 thread.