Striking new images released by National Highways give a bird’s eye view of the new Sparkford to Ilchester upgrade coming to conclusion in Somerset.
Three years on since work started, the progress being made on the scheme between Sparkford and Ilchester, which will tackle congestion, improve safety and help support increased economic prosperity in the Somerset and the South West, is clear in these new aerial pictures. 
They show how much progress has been made since work began on site in 2021. Both structures, Steart Hill Bridge and Hazlegrove underpass, are now complete, with Hazlegrove underpass connecting Camel Hill with the communities south of the A303, without having to travel on the main road.
The latest stage of work saw a change of the traffic management layout between the Steart Hill junction and the end of the scheme, just past Sparkford roundabout.
Traffic is now travelling along the entirety of the new eastbound carriageway between Podimore and the Sparkford roundabout.
Final work on the scheme will now be to complete the westbound carriageway through the entirety of the scheme, which will make up the final switch towards the end of the year.
Drainage works, landscaping and fencing works will also continue as the project moves towards fully opening in Winter 2024/25.
As part of National Highways’ commitment to the local area, the Government owned company has also invested more than £54,000 in 10 community projects through its social value fund, helping to leave a lasting legacy on the community, including: 
The A303 Sparkford to Ilchester upgrade will provide a high-quality three-mile dual carriageway link on the A303 in Somerset, including new and replacement slip roads, junctions and road bridges to replace existing junctions and direct access roads.
The new dualled section will start east of Podimore Roundabout, follow the alignment of the existing A303 to Downhead, and then move north of the existing A303 single carriageway, allowing the existing road to be kept for use as a local road in this section.
The route will rise up West Camel Hill before crossing over the existing A303 at the junction with Steart Hill/Howell Hill and meet up with the existing road again between Vale Farm and the Ministry of Defence signal station at Eyewell/Traits Land.
The final section of the route bypasses the existing Hazlegrove Roundabout to the north through the Registered Park and Garden associated with Hazlegrove House, before tying into the existing A303 Sparkford Bypass.
Once completed, the route will make this section of the A303 safer for all users, while protecting the environment by minimising the impact on the surrounding landscape.
National Highways is working with its delivery partner, Galliford Try, to construct the scheme.
With construction now into its fourth year, more information about the and the construction process can be found on National Highways’ website, by visiting https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-west/a303-sparkford-to-ilchester/.
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