A39 in Carhampton to close next month for flood improvement works

The A39 at Carhampton Cross has been a flooding 'trouble spot' for a long time, with water regularly 'posing a danger to road users' or flooding so badly, motorists cannot continue their journey.

Water from Carhampton Cross has also flooded the B3191 Eastbury Road, meaning people's homes have been affected.

So Somerset County Council (SCC) Highways are teaming up with Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) to deliver a £350,000 drainage improvement scheme.

The work includes significant upgrades to help manage water volumes including bigger pipes, better gullies, and new water control features such as concrete chambers and a catch-pit.

The work will start in October, with road closures in place for a few months. There will be diversions from Williton to Dunster, across Exmoor.

The road closures are as follows:

• The A39 will be closed between 9.30am and 3.30pm from Monday until Friday from October 11 for three weeks for drainage work. Outside these hours, it will be open with temporary traffic lights in place. Exceptions will be made for emergency service vehicles or HGVs over 17 tonnes and/or 9.5m in length, which will be escorted through the roadworks twice a day at 11am and 2pm.
• Hill Lane drainage works will also start on October 11 and are set to last for five weeks. This road will be closed 24 hours a day, with no access (except for residents).
• Resurfacing work will follow once the drainage work is complete and the A39 will be only be closed during the evening from 6.30pm until 11.30pm for five days. There will also be no access to the B3191 Blue Anchor Road during these hours.

• Drainage work on Eastbury Road B3191 will start once the A39 work is complete. This road will be closed from 8am until 4pm for two weeks. Outside these hours, the road will be open with temporary traffic lights.
• Deliveries and access for people and businesses in Carhampton will be accommodated throughout the works by liaison with operational staff on site. Access for cyclists and pedestrians will also be maintained.

Councillor John Woodman, SCC’s cabinet member for highways, said: “Thousands of people in the Carhampton Cross area have been hit badly by flooding for too long.

"During periods of heavy rain, existing drainage systems just get overwhelmed, so we need to act. If we don’t, the problem will only get worse.

"Thanks to Somerset Rivers Authority funding we can do just that and deliver this crucial scheme. I recognise that roadworks and road closures are rarely popular, but this scheme will make a big difference to people’s ability to get safely through Carhampton in the future.

“There will be some short-term disruption while the work is being done, but please bear with us. Every effort will be made to get the work done as quickly as possible. While work is ongoing, please plan ahead if you need to use this route.”

During the road closures a diversion route will be clearly signposted on site or can be found at www.travelsomerset.co.uk/roadworks.