Somerset Council has been urged by one of its own councillors to speed up “embarrassing” roadworks on the A39 in west Somerset ahead of the Easter holidays.
The council and its contractor Centregreat began work in early-January to upgrade the traffic signals at the Dunster Steep junction, where the A39 between Minehead and Williton meet the A396 between Dunster and Tiverton. says the Somerset County Gazette.
The roadworks have led to significant delays on one of west Somerset’s main thoroughfares, with local residents claiming in late-January that it was adding up to an hour to their journeys.
Councillor Marcus Kravis, who represents the Dunster division, has called on the council to do everything in its power to speed up the roadworks, saying it was “increasingly difficult” to defend the approach being taken.
The council has responded that the current system was “the safest and most practicable option” to ensure the work finished before the Easter long weekend.
When Cllr Kravis raised the issue when the full council met in Bridgwater on 4 March he said:
“I remain extremely concerned that, despite the extensive disruption already experience, there has still been no firm commitment to accelerating these works to ensure they are completed before schools break up for the Easter holidays.
“The recent half-term period, which the council described as generating ‘higher-than-usual traffic’, is only a small indication of what we will face once the Easter holiday begins.
“If the network struggled during half term, the first week of Easter will be significantly worse, with far higher visitor numbers and families travelling across west Somerset.
“The current projected completion date of Thursday 2 April leaves virtually no margin and falls directly into the main school holiday period for many areas.”
“This risks substantial and predictable traffic chaos, as well as further economic and social impact on our communities. Avoiding this scenario should be a priority for the project team.”
Following initial feedback from residents and businesses, the council implemented changes to its traffic management at the site to ensure smoother journeys, especially for holidaymakers travelling to and from the Butlin’s holiday park.
Cllr Kravis continued: “It is becoming increasingly difficult as the elected local councillor to defend what is going on at the works to replace the traffic lights at Dunster.”
(Picture: Mapillary)
