A303 Sparkford to Ilchester

Latest updates

• 04 November 2024

  A303 Sparkford to Ilchester open for traffic

  The A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme has officially opened for traffic today (4 November).

  The aim of the project has been to dual a 3.5-mile section of single carriageway, helping to promote economic growth, improve journey times and increase safety by unlocking a major bottleneck in the county on the Strategic Road Network.

  The new section of road will significantly reduce travel time in the region, giving millions of people a smoother journey to the south west. 

  Over the past three years, we have achieved a lot! To reach open for traffic, we have:

  • upgraded 3.5 miles of existing single carriageway to dual carriageway
  • built 3 new junctions at Camel Cross, Downhead and Hazlegrove, which safely separate traffic
  • built two new structures, a bridge at Steart Hill and an underpass at Hazlegrove, which will allow road users to cross the A303 safely
  • excavated and redistributed 900,000m3 of earth and soil to create cuttings up to 10m in depth and embankments up to 12m in height to provide a level route for the new road
  • completed 3 full weekend closures

  We’ve also installed:

  • 5 drainage ponds
  • 30 hectares of wildflower grassland
  • wildlife proof fencing and specially designed tunnels 
  • built a specially designed badger sett (singular)

  We’re not totally finished though – we’ve worked hard to get the main carriageway open for traffic, but there is still some other works to complete.
   
  This will include finishing work on the central reservation of the new road, local accesses, side roads and the surrounding landscape.

  We’re currently due to finish these works in early 2025 and appreciate your continued patience with the project. 

• 04 October 2024

  Overnight closure - Friday 4 October

  Work on the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme is continuing to progress well as we move closer to opening up the new three mile section of dual carriageway.

  Following the successful traffic switch on 28 September that means we have a lane open on each side of the carriageway, we need to complete some more work and will be closing the A303 between Sparkford and Podimore roundabout to do it.

  We’ll be closing the road from 9pm Friday 4 October until 6am Saturday 5 October. This is so that we can move traffic towards the centre of the road in some areas and move sections of temporary barrier.

• 12 September 2024

  Overnight closure to the change traffic management

  Work on the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme continues to move forward as we get close to completing our improvements later this year. After a busy summer of drainage work, earthworks and surfacing, we’re almost ready to open one lane in each direction between Sparkford and the Podimore Roundabout.

  We’ll be changing the traffic management overnight on Saturday 28 September. The A303 will be closed between Sparkford and the Podimore Roundabout from 9pm until 6am.

  When the road reopens on Sunday 29 September, there will be one lane open on the new eastbound and one on the westbound carriageway. This will allow us to safely complete work on the other lanes and the central reservation.

  We ask drivers to take care and follow signs until you’re used to this new set-up.

  Elsewhere on the scheme, we’re finishing the roundabout on the southside of the Steart Hill overbridge. To do this, we’ve closed the bridge, that passes over the A303, for three weeks from the Wednesday 11 September. Sorry for any inconvenience this might cause but the closure is necessary to keep the public and our workforce safe.

  But don’t worry, access to the Bakery for your favourite sweet treats will still be open!

  We’re still on track to open the scheme this winter.

• 22 July 2024

  Scheme makes progress

  Three years on since work started, the progress being made on the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme is clear to see in this recent aerial footage.

  It shows how much progress has been made since work began on site in 2021. Both structures, Steart Hill Bridge and Hazlegrove underpass, are now complete, with Hazlegrove underpass opening in June, connecting Camel Hill with the communities south of the A303, without having to travel on the main road.

  The next stage of work will see a change of the traffic management layout between the Steart Hill junction and the end of the scheme, just past Sparkford roundabout. This will happen under an overnight closure on Friday 9 August.

  Once this switch is complete, traffic will travel along the entirety of the new eastbound carriageway between Podimore and the Sparkford roundabout. Focus will then be on the remaining work; getting the westbound carriageway finished and ready for traffic.

• 27 June 2024

  Change in traffic layout approaches

  Work has been focused on finishing a new section of the eastbound carriageway as preparations take place for the next change in traffic layout.

  Groundworks and drainage are close to completion, so the team are now starting to lay the new road surface. Once this is done, safety barriers and fresh road markings will be added so the road is ready for traffic to use it.

  We’re working to programme and, after the next switch in August, we’ll be moving on to the final major traffic switch in the autumn, taking us closer to our the open for traffic date in Winter 2024/25.

  Hazelgrove access road update

  This month, we finished work on the new link road between Sparkford roundabout, Hazlegrove School and Camel Hill. This was opened on Thursday 20 June following an overnight closure.

  For now, the access from the roundabout will just be for visitors/residents of Camel Hill and Hazlegrove School. Once the next switch takes place later this year, it will also provide access to drivers wishing to travel on the A303 eastbound.

  A303 traffic switch

  The next traffic switch will be towards the beginning of August and will see traffic travelling on the new eastbound carriageway through the whole of the scheme. The date will be announced closer to the time.

  For this switch to take place, there will be an overnight closure with a clearly signed diversion route in place.

  For the quickest and safest journeys, we advise road users to follow our signs, rather than seek out another route or follow sat navs.

• 11 June 2024

  Drainage work and Camel Hill link road access

  Work continues to progress as we move closer to the end of the scheme. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be focusing on drainage on the new eastbound carriageway and laying down the new surface between Steart Hill and the Sparkford end of the scheme. This is to get us ready for the next traffic switch, which is programmed to take place towards the end of July. This will be the second to last traffic switch for the scheme.

  We're still working to programme and are scheduled to open for traffic Winter 2024/25.

  Camel Hill link road access update

  The new link road, connecting Camel Hill with the villages of Sparkford and Queen Camel is scheduled to open next month.

  The road, which will go under the new A303 via the Hazlegrove underbridge, will also connect to the new Hazlegrove access road, creating a new link from the Sparkford roundabout.

  For now, the access from the roundabout will just be for visitors/residents of Camel Hill and Hazlegrove School. Once the next switch takes place later this year, it will also provide access to drivers wishing to travel on the A303 eastbound. The Camel Hill link road and Hazlegrove access is scheduled to open on 20 June.

  If there are any changes to this programme date, we will let you know.

• 25 January 2024

  New year, new bridge beams

  As we move further into 2023, the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme has passed another milestone, as the bridge beams for the Hazlegrove underpass were lifted into place.

  A total of 14 beams were lifted in by an 800 tonne crane, supplied by Ainscough, over 8 days. Originally, the work was planned for 2 days - but the windy and rainy conditions held work up; the team worked well to install the beams given the conditions.

  The team had used 4-D modelling to build the structure virtually and anticipate any unforeseen problems well before it was built. This way of working meant everyone had some input into the way the structure was built, which in turn helped us save time and plan more efficiently. 

  The Hazlegrove underpass is one of two main structures on the scheme – alongside the Steart Hill bridge, the underpass will connect local traffic to both sides of the scheme.

  Elsewhere on site, we’re now planning for the next stages of scheme, including changes to how the traffic will move along the A303. This won’t start happening until the spring - and we’ll make sure you’re given plenty of notice! 

  

• 09 January 2024

  Exciting news on the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme

  Later this month, we’ll be reaching the next milestone on the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme as we open up a new section of the eastbound carriageway.

  On Saturday, 20 January 2024, people travelling east and westbound on the A303 between just east of Podimore roundabout and Steart Hill, will be using the new eastbound carriageway of the A303. The traffic switch is to allow National Highways to carry out the next stage of essential work. This will be after a full closure of the A303 between the Podimore and Sparkford roundabouts from 9pm on Friday 19 January to 6am on Saturday 20 January.

  The changes that you’ll see and experience are:

  • Eastbound traffic on the A303 will travel from Podimore roundabout and follow traffic management to take them on to the new eastbound carriageway of the A303;
  • Westbound traffic on the A303 will switch from the westbound carriageway at Steart Hill and will run temporarily on the new eastbound carriageway of the A303;
  • Local traffic will have different entry and exit points to the A303. The newly built Steart Hill overbridge will be open, connecting the community of Downhead to villages south of the A303;
  • There will no longer be access on to or off of the A303 from Steart Hill.

  We understand roadworks and changes in road layout can be frustrating, so we’ve communicated the traffic switch well in advance to local communities and residents that are most impacted. We’re making sure that access is maintained for residents and businesses, and we’ll be keeping people fully informed as we continue to progress with the scheme.

  The map below shows what the layout will look like once the switchover is complete. This is the first major switchover for the scheme and as we progress, we’ll keep you updated on when the next one is, so watch this space!

  

  Infographic map: shows what the new layout of the A303 will look like once the traffic switchover is completed.

  

  Photo: The new Steart Hill overbridge on the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme

• 11 October 2023

  A303 scheme taking shape, two years on

  It’s two years on since we started work on the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme and things are really starting to take shape – don’t take our word for it, look at the aerial photos below!

  We’ve already hit several milestones throughout the build and the coming months will involve finishing off the new road and linking it in with the existing A303 as it nears completion next year.

  Some key achievements over the last two years include:

  • Creating five new attenuation ponds to help with drainage on the scheme
  • Installing the Steart Hill and Hazlegrove bridge decks – weighing a combined 1,673 tonnes – the same as 137 double decker busses
  • Laying 12.5km/over 7.5 miles of drainage piping to date
  • Installing the Hazlegrove underpass, designed to connect the communities of Camel Hill with Sparkford and Queen Camel
  • Installing more than 300 bird, bat, dormouse and owl boxes, to support wildlife relocation during the construction phase
  • Completing 10 archaeological digs.

  These achievements have come despite some challenges along the way. These include the wettest July on record which caused widespread flooding in the area and long periods of bad weather in November and March. We’ve done our best to work around these challenges and we’ve been making steady progress and the road has started to take shape.

  Unfortunately, despite the progress we’ve made, these challenges have affected our open for traffic date. Although initially due to open in March 2024, that will now be moving to Winter 2024/2025. We’re sorry for the delay but can assure you we are working hard to open the road as quickly as possible and as soon as it’s safe to do so.

  We’ll be sure to keep you updated with progress on the scheme and will continue to share updates and images as we progress. If you have any queries or concerns about the scheme, please don’t hesitate to contact us on A303SparkfordtoIlchesterDualling@nationalhighways.co.uk

  

  

  

• 02 May 2023

  Next phase of works will start this month

  From the end of May, we'll be altering the way traffic flows along the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester - so you might notice some changes as you drive through.

  In the first phase of works, we'll be putting a section of Eastbound traffic onto a contraflow on the Westbound carriageway, from just after Higher Farm Lane to just before the B3151 to Yeovilton (off the Westbound carriageway).

  You will see traffic management on the road from 9 May, and the new speed limit will be in place from 30 May.

  There will be more traffic switches throughout 2023 and into 2024 - we'll keep you up to date as they progress.

  Hannah Sanderson, Programme Manager for National Highways, said: “To complete this work safely, we need to introduce some traffic management onto the road and 30mph limits will be required in sections where traffic is crossing over from one side to the other. 

  “This is being done for the safety of road users and for the safety of our construction team who'll be working closely to the road.

  “Our primary goal is to keep all traffic moving, while maintaining the safety of all those using or working alongside the road. We'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”

  “We have analysed traffic flows carefully to check there is no significant risk of disruption and will be keeping everyone fully informed via signing and the media. 

  “We would ask that drivers plan their journeys and follow signing carefully to avoid being delayed more than necessary and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during these essential works.” 

• 08 November 2022

  Temporary bridge at Steart Hill being removed

  In May, we installed a temporary bridge to move earth from one side of the site to the other without having to use the main A303. Since then we’re moved 900,000 tonnes of earth across it, and now we’re ready to take it down. 

  Now we’ll be removing it this weekend. So the A303 will be closed between Hazlegrove and Podimore roundabouts from 10pm on Friday, 11 November, to 5am on Monday, 14 November.  

  There’ll be a clearly signed diversion route via the A359 and the A37. 

  The removal of the temporary bridge marks a significant milestone for this major scheme, with the major earthworks now completed with minimal disruption.

  

• 08 September 2022

  Moving mountains: a site update

  We’ve been on site on the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester for over a year now – and if you’ve driven past the site, you’ll have seen a lot of changes.

  The main work you’ll be able to see is trucks moving earth between the two sides of the A303. We’re now working opposite the Steart Hill junction at the Wales embankment, moving soil to get that part of the site to the right level for the new road. Since starting the scheme last year, we've now completed more than 60 per cent of the earthworks, moving around 900,000 tonnes of earth – that’s the same weight as 72,000 double decker buses! This means we’ll be able to remove the temporary bridge later this year – more news to follow on this next month.

  We haven’t just been moving soil, though. We’re also working on two of the main structures on site – the Steart Hill bridge and the Hazlegrove underpass. In the next couple of weeks, we’ll be installing the bridge beams onto Steart Hill bridge, which will take local traffic over the new dualled A303. These were delivered last week and we’re now ready for them to be seated in place in the next couple of weeks. Once these beams are in place, the next stage, in October, will be to pour the concrete to form the bridge deck.

  As you can see, it’s been a busy year for us on site and we continue to make good progress towards our ‘open for traffic’ date in Spring 2024. If you have any questions about what is happening on site or would like more information, please drop us a line at A303SparkfordtoIlchesterDualling@nationalhighways.co.uk

  

• 16 May 2022

  Bridge lift completed early

  On Saturday 13 May, the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme hit a milestone with style as a temporary bridge was installed 35 hours ahead of schedule!

  In the early hours of Saturday morning, a 200-tonne crane lifted the new bridge into place. This new temporary bridge is a vital part of the scheme – it will keep construction off the main road, reducing the impact of the scheme on road users and residents.

  The project team had arranged to close the A303 in both directions – between Hazlegrove roundabout and Podimore roundabout – for a whole weekend. But thanks to a fantastic team effort, the road was back open Saturday at 5:30pm, rather than Monday morning. It was the first time the scheme needed a full closure and thanks to sdthe hard work of the project team and its contractors, the bridge was installed without issues and well ahead of time.

  As part of the preparation work, more than 2,500 letters were sent to residents along the diversion route, as well as lots of engagement with the local residents, businesses and parish councils to help minimise the impact of the closure.

  

  Elliot Hayes, National Highways’ Senior Project Manager for the scheme, said: ‘As the first total closure of the scheme, we were keen for the bridge installation to go smoothly. We're really glad it all went well and we could reopen the road early. 

  This bridge connects both sides of the scheme, which is vital for the progress of the earth moving operation. Now that this is complete, we’ll really be able to ramp up the work on the south side of the scheme.'

• 16 February 2022

  Back in full swing - and a bridge on the way

  After a wet start to the year, the Sparkford to Ilchester dualling scheme is back in full swing, with the main focus on getting the abutments ready for the temporary bridge at Steart Hill. Abutments are the supporting structures either side of the span of the bridge.

  We’ll be installing the temporary bridge in April, so we can use it to transport thousands of tonnes of earth from the site near Steart Hill to the site at Hazlegrove. The vehicles used to transport this earth aren’t allowed on the main A303, so the bridge connecting the two sections will be a vital part of the project.

  Elsewhere, we’re carrying out archaeological surveys across the site to check for anything of significance and the environment team will be installing over 400 bird, bat and dormouse boxes in the coming weeks. These will provide nesting and roosting opportunities for birds, bats and dormice, where we’re removing sections of habitat that they would normally use. Once the road is built, we’ll recreate woodland, hedgerow and grassland habitats to provide long term homes for these species.

  Over the next few weeks, we’ll be talking more about the environmental work we’re doing, so watch this space!

• 08 October 2021

  Start of work

  On Friday 1 October we marked the start of our work on the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester dual carriageway project. This £135 million road scheme will provide a major boost to the South West’s economy, whilst improving local journeys and making roads safer.

  Members of Parliament, and council members from across the region joined us for our first event on site. We visited the construction site, alongside Steart Hill, where teams are preparing the area for the first of our three office locations.

  Our current work is all about preparing the ground for construction. We're also building some temporary roads, which will carry the materials and site vehicles across the scheme, to reduce the impact on local roads and villages.

  Our main construction will get under way in 2022 which means we'll only have minimal roadworks on the road until early next year. 

• 29 January 2021

  Planning permission granted

  On 29 January the Secretary of State’s granted the Development Consent Order to upgrade the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester. We’re thrilled at this decision as this scheme will support a growth in jobs and housing by creating a free-flowing and reliable connection between the south east and south west. 

  You can view our application and the decision on the Planning Inspectorates webpage.

  

  We will now finalise the detailed design with our contractors, and currently anticipate starting on site later this year. We’ll provide more detail on next steps shortly.