Weston could see a cash injection of £20million

to upgrade transport links to the town –

including junction 21.

North Somerset Council is applying

for government funding to breathe

new life into the local transport scene

to make it easier for residents and

visitors to get in, out and around the

town.

And top of the list of planned work

are improvements to the busy M5

motorway junction to reduce

queuing, especially for traffic exiting

the motorway.

If the council wins the bid, which is

due to be submitted to the

Department for Transport early next

year, it could also fund new roads, a

park and ride, and the expansion of

Worle railway station.

The proposed work is in response to

large numbers of housing

developments in the area which have

seen the amount of homes grow

without extra jobs, increasing pressure

on roads and public transport.

It is hoped the money will fund

much-needed improvements and will

also lead to increased investment

from businesses.

Executive Member for Strategic

Planning and Economic Development

Councillor Elfan Ap Rees said:

“If we are to attract new

employers they need to

see that transport links

are getting better and

keeping pace with the

development.”

“With this in mind we are planning to

improve the transport infrastructure by

building more capacity into junction

21 together with new bus routes and

improvements toWorle station.

“We also need to recognise

Government plans to build a further

9,000 plus dwellings inWeston,

which will put further pressure on our

transport network.

“As a consequence we have made it

clear that we shall need government

funding, as well as developer

contributions, to support the work to

improve transport links. That is what

the bid is all about.”

The projects are a part of a major

investment in transport taking place

to tackle congestion in the West of

England – the area covered by Bath

& North East Somerset, Bristol City,

South Gloucestershire and North

Somerset councils.

21 to reduce queuing off the

motorway

airfield development site

between the A371 and

Winterstoke Road

centre

line to help buses and other

traffic get to the town centre

from the new airfield

development

example widening

Marchfields Way, to allow

two-way traffic

station including:

New south side car park

Bus stops on both sides of

the station

Extended and / or new

bus services to the station

(including bus priority

measures)

Improved facilities for

cyclists and pedestrians.

To find out more please log onto

www.n-somerset.gov.uk/

consultations

and click on eConsult

transport.policy@

n-somerset.gov.uk