A NEW relief road is now open - after roadworks caused months of delays.

The £3million Western Relief Road (WRR), in Monkton Heathfield, connects the A3259 Yallands Hill with the A38 Bridgwater Road.

This meant Yallands Hill was closed for 12 weeks while the work took place.

READ MORE: Delays during completion work on Monkton Heathfield Relief Road

But the traffic struggles are not over yet, as more temporary traffic restrictions are set to start on Yallands Hill and Monkton Heathfield Road.

Somerset County Council (SCC) has said there will be a temporary 20mph speed restriction on the roads from August 5, as well as a 7.5 tonne weight limit.

The weight limit will also cover Milton Hill.

These restrictions are set to remain in place for 18 months.

SCC has said this is because works are being carried, or are proposed, near the road.

Plans for the WRR were put forward in 2015, but construction only began in 2020 following legal delays surrounding the nearby Hartnells Farm development.

Somerset West and Taunton Council confirmed in April 2020 that additional improvements to the local road network would be made once the WRR had been completed.

At the time, a spokesman said: “Construction of the WRR is expected to be completed by the summer of 2021, after which the county council will install a bus gate on the A3259, near Prockters Farm.

“The parish council has undertaken public consultation with Persimmon about traffic calming works along the A3259, which will be put in place following the completion of the WRR.”