Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to improve the safety of the Ilminster bypass on the A303; and if he will direct the Highways Agency to revisit this matter in the light of recent serious accidents on that road.

Highways England is currently designing safety schemes to improve safety at both roundabouts at either end of the Ilminster By-pass. The Road Investment Strategy also announced, in addition to the schemes on the A303 to be taken forward in the period up to 2020/21, the Government’s intention to up-grade the A303 in subsequent road investment periods, post-2020, which will include the up-grade of the Ilminster By-pass to a dual carriageway, which will aim to further improve safety.

I do however offer my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the people who lost their lives or were seriously injured in the collisions on the Ilminster By-pass in July 2015.

These collisions are still under Police investigation and until concluded it would be inappropriate to speculate on causes and subsequent improvements to that stretch of road. It is important to base decisions on evidence and Highways England will work with partner agencies to further reduce casualties on our roads in light of the evidence as it emerges.