Heatwave delays repairs on A30 in Somerset after bitumen melts
High temperatures impact roadworks between East Chinnock and Haselbury Plucknett
The heatwave is delaying repairs to a section of the A30 in Somerset which “liquified” as a result of the previous period of extreme weather.
Somerset Council and its highways contractor Kiely Brothers carried out resurfacing work in late-May on the A30 between East Chinnock and Haselbury Plucknett – a vital section of the back road between Crewkerne and Yeovil.
The May heatwave caused the bitumen-based binder (known as ‘Kiely Lock’) to melt, preventing repairs from being completed and creating a hazard for motorists.
Councillor Oliver Patrick (whose Coker division includes both villages) has now informed local residents that the current heatwave has further delayed any repairs from being undertaken.
This stretch of road was surface dressed in 2025, but the weather prevented ‘Kiely Lock’ from being applied at the time – with further surface dressing taking place in May 2026 after “deterioration” had been reported.
During the late-May heatwave, local temperatures hit nearly 33 C – with the road temperature being considerably higher, causing the binder to “soften” and “rise through the surface dressing” before the work could be completed.
The council’s highways officers told Mr Patrick that the bends on this section of the A30 “placed much greater stress on the carriageway than straighter roads” – with similar work on the A37 Dorchester Road near Yeovil being completed before the late-May heatwave without incident.
Mr Patrick provided an update on the status of the road on his official Facebook page early on Tuesday morning (June 23).
He said: “The May heatwave liquified the freshly-laid bitumen (causing this problem in the first place), and now a June heatwave is delaying the repairs, I’m afraid.
“I’m told the road has to be a lot cooler for any repairs to work.
“In the meantime, Somerset Council has put signs up to warn motorists of the skid risk, and you might see trucks spreading sand on the carriageway.
“This is to increase the tackiness of the surface and reduce the chance of the exposed bitumen melting in the heat.
“Please drive especially carefully on the A30 between East Chinnock and the turning for Haselbury Plucknett.”
Full details of these and other roadworks in your area can be found by visiting www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/roadworks-and-travel.
The council published a list in April of every Somerset road which will be subject to surface dressing this year, including a separate section of the A30 between Crewkerne and Chard.
Mr Patrick confirmed in a separate post that Kiely Brothers would be footing the bill for the additional repairs to the A30, rather than local taxpayers.
He added that he was “in almost daily contact” with the council’s highways officers regarding the ongoing issues, and would provide further updates as soon as possible.