Major M5 roadworks near Wellington concern locals in Somerset
Local residents say they are concerned the impending closure of a major road will cause "chaos", as traffic is diverted through nearby villages. Junction 26 of the M5 and the Chelston Link Road in Wellington will be closed from 16 June until September as part of major resurfacing works being overseen by Somerset Council.Flood prevention work will also be carried out at the junction, while the current concrete road will be crushed up and used as foundation for the new tarmac. The authority has held a series of public drop-in sessions so people can study the scheme.
The extended closure of the road and motorway junction have left many people worried that alternative routes in Wellington will become heavily congested throughout the summer.
Judy and Jonah Jones from Nynehead, who attended a council drop-in session, say "panic" was the first word that sprang to mind upon hearing of the closures.The couple fear emergency services would struggle to reach them when the roads around them become congested, adding: "How do we get help if we need help?"
Ken and Christine Winhall from Wellington also said they expect the diversions to cause significant "chaos". "All the traffic will back up to Taunton," she said. "It's going to affect our daily lives really, because people drive from Wellington to Taunton all the time."The pair also pointed to the poor condition of alternative roads mapped out by the council, saying some are plagued by potholes.
The council has insisted the road and junction must to be completely closed to carry out the resurfacing work.Councillor Richard Wilkins, cabinet member for transport and waste services, said: "It's not going to be easy, there's no two ways of saying it."But we're only afforded the [time] slots that we had available."The authority said it will listen and adapt to feedback from local people as the works progress.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The UK's most underrated seaside town revealed - and it has a funicular lift with incredible views
Looking for an under-the-radar staycation destination? Some of the UK's most underappreciated Northern towns have been put in the spotlight in a new survey to encourage Brits to travel off-the-beaten-track this summer. According to the research, carried out by Airbnb, Saltburn-by-the-Sea is the country's most underrated seaside town. Located in North Yorkshire, the seaside town offers the 'perfect blend of serenity and intrigue', says Airbnb. It's known for its pretty Victorian architecture including Saltburn Pier (1869) and the Saltburn Cliff Lift (1884). The funicular lift is still open today and offers incredible views of Saltburn's breathtaking coastline. Whitley Bay in Tyne & Wear also makes the Airbnb hotlist of underrated seaside towns. Visitors can admire St Mary's Lighthouse which was built in 1898 or enjoy the beach at Whitley Bay Links. The third and last seaside town to feature on the list is Whitehaven in Cumbria. A port town on the northwest coast, it's under five miles from the Lake District. Although it's a small town now, Whitehaven was once the UK's third-largest port. Tourists can discover its history at The Beacon Museum. If a UK beach break isn't your cup of tea, Airbnb has also selected four top picks for food tourism. Horbury in West Yorkshire takes the top spot and has been described as 'this summer's must visit destination'. Airbnb says: 'The town is quickly becoming a hotspot for its vibrant pub scene and small-scale breweries, including the Luddite Brewing Co. at the Calder Vale Hotel, Boons and The Bingley - a collaboration between two local breweries, Ossett Brewery & SALT.' The North's other foodie hotspots are Clitheroe in Lancashire, Penistone in South Yorkshire and Ramsbottom in Greater Manchester. And when it comes to culture, there are three more Northern towns that earn a recommendation from Airbnb. Saltaire in Bradford tops the list while Haworth in Bradford and Halifax in West Yorkshire round out the podium. Airbnb says: 'Saltaire is the ultimate destination for 2025. Home to the iconic Salts Mill, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is also a cultural haven that plays home to a collection of David Hockney's works and inspiring performances at the Victoria Hall.' Luke Impett, head of partnerships at Airbnb, says: 'Our research clearly shows a growing appetite among Brits to break away from the "Instagrammable" travel loop and discover unique, quieter and more meaningful travel experiences. 'By highlighting these 10 Northern towns and offering guests the opportunity to experience a weekend break themselves, we hope to encourage travellers to explore beyond their algorithm and uncover the rich tapestry of culture, history and natural beauty that areas like West Yorkshire offer. 'The UK is one of the best places to holiday in the world and we want to work together with destinations to encourage guests to explore lesser visited areas and spread the benefits of tourism.'
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
This pushchair is a genuine breakthrough for city-dwelling families
I didn't realise what a boon having swivelling back wheels would be until I started testing this buggy. I initially thought I'd find myself rolling all over the place along the Thames Path, and feared the buggy may end up swivelling sideways like an unruly shopping trolley. Thankfully, though, the designers at Nuna have incorporated an on/off button to activate the swivel when needed. You depress the button on the handlebar, and it smoothly allows the back wheels to unlock and rotate – simple, practical, genius. Beyond the swivel feature, it has all the bougie credentials I have come to expect from Nuna – a chic brand popular with influencers and celebrities alike. The buggy comes in a variety of classy neutral colourways and is complete with a range of extras (a cup holder, a rain cover, a carry bag, and an adjustable tilt post adapter, making it travel-system-ready). Meanwhile, a zip pocket on the back of the seat and a secret one in the storage basket (ideal for stashing valuables) add to the buggy's practicality. These extras are often a significant expense with other brands, so, as a package, the swiv offers excellent value. That said, there is also an array of add-ons you can buy to pair with it, including chic footmuffs and nappy bags. The design of the swiv is distinct. It's somewhat between a travel buggy and a travel system in size, meaning you could get away with not having a smaller buggy. At 9.5kg, it's also very light – so in many ways it reminded me of Silver Cross's tide (£895, but that lacks the swivelling back wheels. For a compact model, it performs very well on rougher terrain but really comes into its own in shops and on public transport – I was able to get onto a bus without the usual dread of having to cajole the buggy sideways into an awkward gap around other passengers. The smaller footprint also doesn't compromise on practicality. You don't feel like you are pushing the QE2, but there is still ample room, a sturdy wheelbase and a basket that carries up to 10kg. The distance between the basket and the seat allows for lots to be carried underneath, and you are able you unload it without potentially disturbing a sleeping child – another key difference between the swiv and a travel buggy or smaller compact. The fold is pretty straightforward and works in the same way as most buggies in this class – you push the seat over and twist the handle and it then folds down one-handed to a very tidy 54cm x 78cm x 30cm. It really has made navigating the city with a child in tow a lot easier.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
First Group profits bounce back after transport group returns to London following RATP takeover
First Group has returned to profit and cheered progress in its bus and rail operations. Shares in the Aberdeen-based transport operator rose 12.1 per cent as investors welcomed stronger-than-expected profits. First, which runs Avanti West Coast and Great Western Railway, recorded a profit of £169.6million for the year to March, swinging from a £24.4million loss a year earlier. The company saw a particular rise in profitability from its First Bus business, which has been boosted by a return to the London market after its £90million takeover of RATP Dev Transit London. First Bus revenues rose 6.8 per cent to £1.08billion for the year despite a £17million reduction in funding, as passenger numbers rose 7 per cent year-on-year. Meanwhile, the group's rail business said it saw passenger numbers on its open-access lines, which include Hull Trains and Lumo, grow to 2.9m for the year, from 2.7m.
