National Highways is not currently planning to upgrade one of the most congested junctions along the A303.
The Eagle Tavern junction sits on a single-carriageway stretch of the A303 between Ilminster in Somerset and the Devon border, positioned within the Blackdown Hills national landscape (previously designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, or AONB).
The staggered junction (which took its name from the nearby pub – now operating as the La Campagna restaurant) is frequently utilised by Chard residents and those from surrounding villages seeking to reach Taunton or Wellington, bypassing the A358 and the M5.
Enhancing this stretch of the A303 was recently highlighted as a priority by the Peninsula Transport Sub-National Transport Body, which unites councillors from Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.
However, National Highways (which bears responsibility for maintaining and improving the A303) has declared it has no plans to upgrade the junction in the immediate future, explaining it must allocate its funding to "the locations of greatest need".
This stretch of the A303 experiences particularly heavy traffic during summer months, with extensive tailbacks developing on both Castlemain and Street Ash Lane as drivers battle to navigate through lengthy queues of traffic travelling in both directions.
When the A358 faces closure or congestion, the route via the Eagle Tavern junction functions as one of the primary alternative routes for vehicles, and routinely accommodates tractors and other machinery from local farms. While the junction could be easily signalised, its staggered nature means that constructing a roundabout in its place may prove challenging without significant land acquisitions.
Peninsula Transport unveiled its strategic implementation plan (SIP) in June, highlighting the need for enhancements to the A303 throughout the Blackdown Hills and beyond among numerous other priorities.
The SIP advocates for "enhancement to the second strategic routebetween the A358 and Exeter to address capacity and safety issues", estimating that a variety of improvements would cost approximately £50m to implement.
National Highways declined to comment specifically on the SIP, but stated that upgrading the Eagle Tavern junction was not one of its immediate priorities.
A spokesperson commented: "We currently do not have plans to improve the Eagle Tavern junction, but as with all locations across our network we will continue to monitor performance and if this suggests improvements are necessary we will progress this accordingly.
"We must prioritise our funding and resources at the locations of greatest need."
