Roads

One of the first things the Western Gateway Sub-national Transport Body was tasked with was identifying regional priorities for funding through the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Major Road Network (MRN) and Large Local Major (LLM) schemes. To do this, we invited our local authorities to put forward proposals.

 

After going through a prioritisation process, we submitted a shortlist to the DfT – and all of the proposed schemes were accepted. Since then, one of the projects has been withdrawn as it can be delivered through other means, and another is being thoroughly re-evaluated.

In 2025 the Department for Transport announced a review of MRN schemes. We welcomed the continued inclusion of schemes in the programme for the A350 Chippenham Bypass, A38 North Somerset and Junction 17 M4/A350. To the Secretary of State for Transport we urged the need to retain the A350 Melksham Bypass, A4174 Ring Road and M5 Junction 9 in the scheme list.

Road priorities

The latest road updates

A38 North Somerset

  • Majority of construction work is scheduled for 2026/27.
  • Design & build contract awarded in Spring 2025 and updated scheme cost plans produced during detailed design in 2025.
  • Full Business Case to be submitted to the Department for Transport in Spring 2026.

A350 Chippenham Bypass (Phases 4 and 5)

  • Full Business Case approval received in January 2025.
  • Main Construction works started June 2025 with completion by December 2026.

A350 M4 Junction 17 Improvements

  • Full Business Case to be submitted to the Department for Transport in October 2026 with construction starting in April 2027.

A350 Melksham Bypass

  • Submission of Outline Business Case dependant on conversations with the Department for Transport and National Highways around the M4 to Dorset Coast connectivity study.

M4 to Dorset Coast Connectivity study

  • Delivery Plan under development. We welcomed the references to the study and its recommendations in the Roads Investment Strategy 3 (published March 2026).

A4174 Ring Road

  • Outline Business Case submitted September 2024. Scheme rescoped to provide new pedestrian and cycle links under the Ring Road.

M5 Junction 9

  • Decision on Strategic Outline Business Case expected summer 2026.

Future work

One of our key stakeholders is National Highways, who operate, maintain and improve the motorways and major A roads across the region. We welcome the valuable insights NH officers bring to our Board meetings, and all of our projects.

We were grateful to have a National Highway officers on the project board for our Strategic Investment Plan, as they provided great insights into potential key road schemes, and ensuring the objectives were fairly weighted.

We will continue to support National Highways and monitor the outcome of the newly published Road Investment Strategy (March 2026). And we will review potential opportunities as and when new road strategies emerge as well as taking forward the M4 to Dorset Coast Strategic Study.