The UK’s Highways England has initiated a second consultation on the plans to upgrade the A358 located between the M5 at Taunton and Southfields Roundabout on the A303 in Somerset.

The consultation, which will continue until 27 February, is in response to feedback from the initial consultation launched last year.

As part of its £15bn Road Investment Strategy, the government is currently upgrading all sections of the A303/A358 corridor between the M3 and M5 to dual carriageway standard.

The A358 upgrade aims to create a complete section of high-quality dual carriageway that will ease congestion on the motorway and reduce travel time.

“The A303/A358 is such a vital route that we need to be absolutely sure we find the best option for upgrading the section between the A303 and M5 at Taunton.”

Under the government’s first road investment period, the other two projects on this corridor are the A303 Stonehenge scheme and the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester dualling scheme.

Highways England project manager David Stock said: “The A303/A358 is such a vital route that we need to be absolutely sure we find the best option for upgrading the section between the A303 and M5 at Taunton.

“We had a huge response to the previous consultation and after reviewing all the feedback closely we understand how important it is to give people the chance to have their say on more options before taking the scheme to the next stage.”

The A358 currently features sections of single and dual carriageways supporting more than its stipulated capacity.