Residents of Orchard Grove can now enjoy smoother journeys to and from the M5 following the early completion of a major road improvement scheme on the A38 Chelston Link Road.
The £5.7 million upgrade of the road, which links Wellington to junction 26 of the M5, was completed around two weeks ahead of schedule. The road reopened to motorists overnight on Saturday 6th September, bringing welcome relief to commuters who had been diverted through alternative routes since mid-June.
Somerset Council undertook the improvement scheme using entirely central government funding, with innovative construction techniques helping to accelerate the timeline. The project involved crushing the existing 51-year-old concrete surface in situ and using it as part of the base for the new road.
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, said: “We’re really pleased that this has opened ahead of schedule. The carriageway was 51 years old and well beyond its sell-by date. We’ve fixed all of that, we’ve fixed the broken drains, and we’ve come in on budget and a couple of weeks ahead of schedule.”
The improved road surface will be particularly beneficial as the area prepares for increased traffic from new housing and Wellington’s upcoming railway station. As Councillor Rigby noted: “Wellington has been the biggest town on the GWR network between Penzance and London Paddington not to have a railway station, and that historical error is about to be put right.”
For Orchard Grove residents, the completion of this essential infrastructure upgrade ensures continued excellent connectivity to the motorway network and beyond. The project has delivered long overdue improvements with a smoother, quieter road surface and improved drainage that will benefit the community for years to come.
The early completion was made possible through innovative construction techniques, including a modern recycling method called rubblization which broke up the existing concrete road surface and retained the materials as sub-base for the new road. This environmentally-friendly approach saved 200 tonnes in carbon and around 1,130 lorry movements compared to traditional road construction methods.
As Cllr Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services, noted: “It means the government funding we worked so hard to secure has been put to good use and we can all benefit from a smoother, quieter road surface with improved drainage for years to come.”
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