Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the total cost of the scheme to improve the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester and the A358 Southfields to the M5 is allocated to enable Highways England to obtain the necessary Development Consent Order.

The A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme announced its preferred route in October 2017. Based on current estimates, the scheme has allocated seven percent (£12 million) of its total scheme cost of £179 million to progress up to obtaining the relevant Development Consent Order.

The A358 Taunton to Southfields scheme is at an earlier stage of development and a preferred route announcement is planned for later this year. Depending on which route option is chosen, the scheme estimates that four percent to five percent of its total scheme cost (ranging from £365 million - £450 million) will be allocated to progress the scheme up to obtaining the relevant Development Consent Order.