MILLIONS of pounds of funding has been awarded to improve the M5 Junction 26 and A38 Chelston Link near Wellington.

The Government has pledged £4.736 million – with a further £1 million coming from local funding – to carry out structural repairs to the carriageway and drainage, which are now 45 years old.

Some of the concrete slabs are cracking and rocking, and the road also suffers from occasional flooding. The road work will use the recycled concrete pavement as sub-base material, and drainage will be replaced, with ditch systems re-cut.

The Department for Transport announced the funding as part of a £100 million nationwide package for 29 local road projects, in turn part of a £5 billion investment in infrastructure to boost the UK’s economic recovery in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.

Cllr John Woodman, cabinet member for Highways and Transport at Somerset County Council, said: “This funding is warmly welcomed. Junction 26 and the Chelston Link road provide important connections for the Taunton, Wellington and West Somerset areas to the M5 strategic road network.”

Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow said: “I am delighted that Taunton Deane will be one of the very first beneficiaries of the Prime Minister’s New Deal for Britain, kick-starting our recovery from coronavirus.

“The A38 Chelston Link repairs will bring huge benefits to our local area, alleviating traffic problems, reducing congestion, pollution and better connecting our community with the rest of the country.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “As the country begins the recovery from Covid-19, we need to get on the front foot and invest in infrastructure in every region to reignite the economy, helping better connect people with work and leisure in the future.

“By investing £100 million in local roads and reaffirming our commitment to better connecting communities, we are not just talking about levelling up – but making it happen.”