Round-the-clock working has meant there is no longer a need for a one-way system and diversions around busy Puriton Hill this month.
Work to connect the multi-billion Agratas electric battery facility near Bridgwater to the power grid is well underway, a connection that is essential for the development which is expected to create up to 4,000 jobs and put Somerset at the centre of the UK’s green energy revolution.
Contractors had expected to reintroduce a one-way system on Puriton Hill for around a month starting next week, to allow crews to continue installing underground ducting along the side of the road.
But, thanks to weeks of working 24/7 in the autumn, the team has finished ahead of schedule. This means there is no need for this month’s one-way restrictions and traffic will be able to travel both north and south on Puriton Hill which links the A39 with Junction 23 of the M5.
Work will instead take place under temporary traffic lights at the junction of Puriton Hill and Bath Road Bridge from 15 February to 2 March. These lights will replicate the existing traffic light system on the junction, keeping disruption to a minimum but allowing the necessary access to the network.
Work will also take place at the junction of Bower Lane and Bath Road in Bridgwater under temporary traffic lights, from 13 to 26 January.
Further work will be needed before the summer to install the cabling into the ducting along the route of the A39. Details of the traffic management required for this is still be finalised and will be shared as soon as possible.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Waste services, said:
It’s great news that we can avoid having to put another one-way system in place at this time, thanks to a tremendous effort by the JSM team.
With work on this scale there is always disruption and we are pleased that the contractor has pulled out the stops to try keep it to a minimum.
There is a huge amount of investment in and around Bridgwater at the moment. That’s very positive, but we know people in the town are coping with a lot of work on the roads and we appreciate their patience and continued support.
