A Government-backed Somerset Council Highways scheme is set to begin in June, aiming to replace a deteriorating 51-year-old concrete road and motorway junction near Wellington.

The project, delivered by contractor Heidelberg Materials, will involve the full refurbishment of Junction 26 of the M5 and the adjoining A38 Chelston link road, both originally constructed in 1974.

To modernise the infrastructure, the team will deploy a pioneering technique known as rubblisation, a process that pulverises the existing concrete surface with specialist machinery. Instead of removing 7,300 tonnes of concrete from the site, the crushed material will be reused as a sub-base for the new road, significantly improving the project's environmental footprint.

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Often used on airport runways, this method is expected to save around 200 tonnes of carbon emissions and reduce lorry movements by approximately 1,130, compared to traditional road reconstruction. The approach eliminates the need to transport waste off-site or import new stone, making the scheme faster, more efficient, and less disruptive to the community.

However, due to the depth of excavation required at the Junction 26 roundabout, the works will necessitate a full closure of the junction and A38 link road (from J26 to Foxmoor Business Park) for around 14 weeks, from 16 June to mid/late September. Access to Foxmoor Business Park will remain open via Chelston Roundabout under managed traffic conditions, though some overnight and weekend closures will apply.

The timing of the project has been coordinated with National Highways, taking into account other upcoming M5 works and ensuring continued access to the National Highways gritting depot on the Chelston Link Road during winter months.

To help residents and businesses understand the impact of the works, three public drop-in events will be held:

• 14 May, 4–7pm at West Buckland Parish Hall

• 15 and 21 May, 3:30–7pm at Wellington Football Club

The scheme represents a major step forward in modernising Somerset's road network.