Purpose

The Longbridge Junction improvement scheme which was approved in December 2025 is requiring minor design amendments. The proposed changes have presented themselves as a result of progression through the Road Safety Audit Stage 1 gateway, and the commencement of detailed design. The main changes are primarily a change in crossing design from a staggered crossing to straight across on Station Road, and a change from a straight across crossing to a staggered crossing at the western end of Longbridge.

Decision

Approve the minor design changes for the A3125/Longbridge Junction improvement scheme.
The main changes are primarily a change in crossing design from a staggered crossing to straight across on Station Road, and a change from a straight across crossing to a staggered crossing at the western end of Longbridge.
The crossing at Station Road is to be straight across due to less kerb line restructuring making the crossing distance less.
The location of a straight across crossing at Longbridge did not allow for a sufficient cycle on slip onto Longbridge from the Tarka Trail, this would be unsafe for cyclists. A staggered crossing allows for a longer on slip and thus provides a safer arrangement for cyclists. The crossing would need to be shifted to the west if it were to include these cyclist improvements whilst remaining a straight across. This would require significant earthworks/ realignment due to carriageway profile / crowning which would increase costs and construction duration.
This proposal still shows a reduction in the number of overall crossing points and thus is more direct than the existing provision. But does not allow for a single phase crossing due to need to stagger for cycle safety.
Overall, the scheme has been amended to ensure cyclist safety.