Vital resurfacing work and traffic light repairs on a section of the A30 in West Coker are to be carried out this summer.

Somerset Council will be resurfacing 7,000 sqm of West Coker’s High Street, as well as replacing ageing traffic signals on a narrow section of the road.
The traffic signals need to be renewed as part of a £16.6 million county-wide programme to refurbish traffic lights at the end of their working life.

The works are being planned for West Coker during the school summer holidays as data shows traffic on the A30 is reduced by 50 per cent during this period compared with other times of the year.

A 24-hour road closure will need to remain in place from Saturday 22 July to Monday 4 September, while the work is carried out. It’s not possible to keep the road open as there will be significant excavations needed to remove the old traffic signals and accompanying ducting and wiring. A full closure also ensures the work will be progressed more quickly.

Access for residents and businesses in the immediate area will be maintained throughout and a diversion will be in place, with full details available nearer the time on www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/roadworks-and-travel/.
Bus services will need to be diverted.

“These works in West Coker are long overdue and have been welcomed by the community and local members,”

– Cllr Mike Rigby, Somerset County Council’s Lead Executive Member for Transport and Digital.

“However, it has been made clear that any impact on the community and disruption needs to be minimised and proper support provided.

“Our contractor has confirmed there will be a public liaison worker on-site every day of this road closure. This person will be tasked with dealing with any local issues as and when they arise.

“We’ve also ensured that emergency services can continue to have full access to all properties at all times in West Coker.

“We have to act now and a ‘one hit’ approach in getting both the signals replaced and resurfacing carried out at the same time is the sensible option.

“The traffic signals need to be replaced before they fail and cause worse disruption, whilst a full resurfacing of the road is needed urgently as the current carriageway is showing significant signs of wear and tear.

“By September we will have completed major long-term improvements on this busy stretch of road and won’t need to return for the foreseeable future.”

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If you spot a problem on the road you can report it quickly and easily here www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/report-a-problem-on-the-road/