Urgent works are required on a key Somerset road next month to replace the damaged surface.

Somerset County Council’s Highways Team will begin work in August on a section of the A378, between Langport and Taunton, which has become fractured and displaced causing water to flow through the sub structure to create cracking and ground movements.

Preparation works are due to take place between 8 and 12 August 2022, with traffic signals in place.

Work will then commence the following week on resurfacing, between 15 to 26 August 2022, under a full road closure. This will be in place between the 7.30am and 6pm.

We have also made the choice to close a narrow back lane off the A378 known as Rock Hill that emerges back onto the A378 at the top of One Mile Hill. In the past, this has acted as an ‘unofficial diversion route’ and causes disruption to residents. This road closure will coincide with the resurfacing works.

A day closure has been chosen for safety of the workforce, in addition to engineering benefits and longer daylight hours. In addition, there will be no clash with National Highways current work on the A303.

A diversion will be in place – details can be found on www.travelsomerset.co.uk.

Somerset County Council’s Executive Member for Transport and Digital Mike Rigby, said: “We understand that this will cause disruption and we will do everything we can to minimise this, but we must act quickly before we see further signs of deterioration.

“Undertaking these works during the summer holidays, when the traffic is greatly reduced, is the sensible decision.

“We have made significant improvements to this road’s drainage system in the past and now is the right time to replace the road with a new surface to maximise the benefits.”

Somerset County Council looks after 4,172 miles of road and in 2021/22 invested £25.4m to keep the county moving.

If you spot a problem on the road, you can report it quickly and easily by visiting www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/report-a-problem-on-the-road/

For updates on traffic and travel follow @travelsomerset on Twitter and Facebook.