Why do we need to improve and trunk the A358?
The A358 already carries more than twice the number of vehicles it was designed for, making it one of the busiest roads in the South West. Much of it is still curving single carriageway, which adds to journey times and leads to accidents when frustrated drivers attempt ill-judged overtaking manoeuvres. Improving the A358 will cut journey times and improve safety.

How much will it cost?
2004 estimates put the cost of improving the A358 £246m. Much of this money will be spent on a new junction with the M5. The alternative of dualling the A303 across the Blackdown Hills would cost £338m, plus the cost of upgrading the M5 motorway junction at Exeter and the cost of any public inquiry. Such an inquiry would delay any improvement to the A303 by at least two years.

Who pays?
The Department for Transport. The A358 will be upgraded to trunk status when the improvements are made, so it will be funded by central Government and central Government would also be responsible for its maintenance.

Why is it taking so long?
Good question. A decision was promised by the end of 2003. The SWARMMS report was published in 2002, but the Transport Secretary asked for further technical work. This was completed in February 2004. In April 2004 the South West Regional Assembly opted by one vote (41/40) to favour the A303, though a majority of non-elected members voted for the A358 The Assembly was effectively deadlocked.

How will the A358 help Devon and Cornwall?
The A358 will improve connections between east and west. At the moment, many vehicles heading west on the A303 opt to turn north at Ilminster to gain access to the M5 as the better route into Devon and Cornwall. Dualling the A358 would make that much easier.

Shouldn't we upgrade both the A358 and the A303?
The Government has made it clear it cannot and will not fund both improvements. If we are not careful we could lose both. We have to unite behind the best single option, which is clearly the A358. The Missing Link campaign supports sensible improvements to the A303 but the main dualling project should be the A358.

Why don't you follow the line of the A358 instead of branching off at Henlade?
A number of local roads join the A358 along this section, and it is necessary to separate local traffic and fast-moving through traffic. Dualling the A358 will also improve the environment for those who live and work in Henlade.

What about the long-awaited Henlade bypass?
The improvements to the A358 will bypass Henlade, so the separate scheme will no longer be needed.

Why not improve both the A358 and the A303?
The Department for Transport has made clear it cannot and will not fund both schemes, despite the previously stated wish of the South West Regional Assembly. The A358 is the only viable option.

What happens next?
We await a decision by the Transport Secretary. This was expected before the summer recess of 2004. We were told it would be delayed until Autumn (after the recess) and at time of writing (November 2004) we are told “as soon as possible.”