Somerset's worst rat runs revealed

Faced with gridlock on Somerset’s major roads, many motorists opt to use ‘rat runs’ – smaller roads, often through rural communities, which can get them to their destination just that little bit quicker.

But while using these roads may save you a few minutes, they are not designed to cope with high levels of traffic – and as more and more people use them, pedestrians and other road users can be put at risk.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked Somerset residents on social media about the worst rat runs and their area, and then put their comments to the county council.

Here’s the list residents came up with of the worst rat runs in the county:

King’s Drive, Bridgwater

Both the A38 Bristol Road and the A39 Bath Road into Bridgwater can be very congested – so motorists often use this route through the Sydenham area to shave off a few vital minutes.

It doesn’t help that the route is already busy during peak times, as parents drop off and collect their children from the nearby Willowdown Academy.

Rhode Lane, Bridgwater

This road runs around the western edge of the Wilstock housing development near Junction 24.

It has become an alternative route for road users seeking to access the local schools when the A38 is at a standstill.

Skimmerton Lane, nr Bridgwater

This short route on the western edge of Bridgwater is used by motorists wishing to avoid queues on the busy A39 into town.

It provides easy access for both Haygrove School and nearby housing estates.

Catcott Broad Drove, nr Burtle

This road on the edge of the Shapwick Nature Reserve may seem quiet and picturesque – but don’t be fooled.

Local resident Sarah Baker described this as a “danger zone” because of its “fast speed, no public crossings, no pavements, no 20mph speed limit, schoolchildren and large lorries”.

Glynswood, Chard

Chard town centre can get very congested, with long traffic queues at the crossroads where the A30 from Yeovil and Crewkerne meets the A358 from Taunton and Ilminster.

Many motorists use the residential area of Glynswood to bypass this crossroads and rejoin the A358 on Furnham Road – or as a quick route to the A30 heading into Devon.

Melissa Whittaker-Mather – a town councillor – said: “Trying to walk in that direction at certain times is challenging. You have to be quite alert.”

St Michael Road, Creech St Michael

As the urban extension in Monkton Heathfield has grown, more and more people have been using Creech St Michael to avoid Taunton’s busy main roads and pick up the A358.

Tony Sutcliffe tweeted: “Creech St Michael has almost become one big rat run. The traffic is creating some potentially dangerous situations.”

Chinnock Hollow, East Chinnock

For motorists commuting into Yeovil from Crewkerne or Chard, this narrow route to the Bluebell roundabout allows them to avoid both the slower speed limits in West Coker and most of the western corridor traffic lights.

It’s not designed for large vehicles – you’re likely to meet a lorry or a tractor coming the other way – but even with the new-ish speed bumps in Odcombe, drivers still use it in large numbers.

Taunton Road, Kingston St Mary

This road in and out of Taunton has become increasingly busy as commuters seek a quick route to Bridgwater, avoiding the A38 or M5.

Tim Whittingham said: “This road through Kingston st Mary up to The Pines has become absurdly busy.

“The traffic then goes on to Bridgwater or out towards Cannington and Hinkley Point C.”

Newton Road, North Petherton/ Maunsel Road, nr North Newton (towards A361)

The A361 is an important route linking Taunton with the Somerset Levels – but it can be quite busy at peak times.

These two roads provide a link between the A361 and the A38 at North Petherton without having to queue on the eastern edge of the county town.

Dancing Hill, North Petherton (to/ from Durleigh)

Large amounts of developments around North Petherton and Junction 24 of the M5 have led more people to use this route to avoid the often-gridlocked A38 during peak times.

The Taunton Area Cycling Club (TACC) tweeted: “This is a twisting , narrow lane used by speeding vans and cars.

“It’s an attractive lane now stressed by excessive traffic, posing a threat to cyclists trying to avoid main roads.”

Harp Lane, nr South Petherton

The Ilminster bypass is one of the most notorious sections of the A303, with regular delays (and sometimes worse) as the carriageway changes between one and two lanes.

This route, through Seavington St Michael, is regularly used by drivers when there are crashes on the A303, or to provide a more direct route to Ilminster.

Luckes Lane, nr Staple (for A358 and A39)

Luckes Lane has become a useful route for motorists seeking to reach either the A39 or the A358 without having to go through the centre of Williton.

This isn’t good for the residents of West Quantoxhead, whose picturesque route at the north-western tip of the Quantock Hills has now becoming filled up by traffic.

Greenway Lane, nr Thornfalcon (for Taunton)/ Stoke Road, Henlade

Drivers frequently face long delays on the A358 where it narrows to one lane and 30mph on the approach to Taunton and the M5.

For those wishing to reach the town centre, these two roads form a commonly used route which avoids the long queues – though it’s only just wide enough in places to let two vehicles pass.

Emily Taylor said: “There is a blind corner here passable by only one vehicle.

“With the increase in traffic avoiding the roadworks by Hankridge Farm, it is becoming gridlocked.”

Thorn Lane, Thornfalcon

On the other side of the same stretch of the A358, people use this route to avoid the long queues near the village of Henlade.

Vicky Banham said: “People peel off the horribly congested A358 at Henlade and tear down the country lane towards Creech St Michael and Ruishton with little care for anyone coming the other way.”

White Hill/ Wearne Lane, Wearne (nr Langport)

The A372 is a key route between Bridgwater and the Somerset Levels.

This back road is often used by drivers wishing to avoid being held up at Shires Garage near Langport cemetery.

Councillor Clare Paul – whose division includes Langport – said the route would be included a small improvement scheme that she was working on.

Nynehead Hollow/ Nynehead Lane nr Wellington

As more development has come to Wellington and its town centre becomes more congested, more people are using this route to avoid the jams and reach the A38 and M5.

Siy Pserad tweeted: “The road past Nynehead Court from Wellington and towards Langford Budville is used to avoid Wellington.

“It’s a single track road and a national cycle way.”

Hooper’s Lane/ Newton Road, Yeovil

This route is used by people commuting from Dorset wanting to avoid morning queues on the A37 to get into Yeovil town centre.

It’s also a quick way of reaching Yeovil Junction railway station if you’re catching a train.

What has the county council had to say?

Somerset County Council – which is responsible for highways and transport – has said there is “no easy fix” for rat runs.

Councillors can apply for small improvement schemes in their divisions, which can reduce traffic speeds or levels by making a given area safer – but these can take considerable amounts of time to put in place.

A spokesman said: “Drivers are always free to seek alternative routes, but we appreciate this sometimes can lead to issues labelled ‘rat-running’.

“Sometimes there is no easy fix and taking steps such as closing roads or introducing restrictions may simply move a problem elsewhere.

“We work closely with communities and the police to identify problems, we assess records of collisions and consider if potential action may be effective.

“This can vary from minor works, such as localised traffic calming, to increased enforcement from police, to major road improvement schemes like the Junction 25 upgrade, which will improve traffic flow and ease the pressure on local routes.

“Our resources are limited but we will always prioritise areas with known safety issues.

“We would always urge motorists to drive safely and appropriately to conditions and be mindful of residents and other road users.”