Summer holidays closure of key route over Somerset Levels scaled back
The closure of a key route over the Somerset Levels during the summer holidays has been scaled back by Somerset Council.
The A361 provides a key link between Taunton and numerous Somerset villages, connecting up with both the A39 to Street and Glastonbury and the A372 towards Langport.
As part of its ongoing upgrade to traffic signals across the county, the council intends to shut the A361 Main Road in the village of Burrowbridge, in order to replace the lights on the bridge over the River Parrett.
The roadworks will take place from late-June to early-September, with the council originally intending to completely close the road off to traffic from late-July – meaning it would be shut off for the entirety of the summer holidays.
But following feedback from local residents, the full-scale closure of the road has been pushed back to early-August, meaning more of the work will be carried out under temporary traffic lights.
The existing traffic signals on either approach to the bridge are more than 30 years old and are nearing the end of their service life – as was the case with the lights at the Dunster Steep junction near Minehead and on the A39 Westway in Street, both of which were recently upgraded.
Unless the lights are replaced, they risk failing and causing lengthy disruption for both motorists and pedestrians on one of rural Somerset’s busiest roads.
Under the proposals, part of the existing kerbs near the bridge will be widened, providing further room for pedestrians where the main road meets the River Parrett Trail’s long-distance walking route.
The existing signalised crossing on the western side of the bridge will be replaced and upgraded, with battered kerbs on the eastern approach to the bridge also being repaired or replaced.
A long stretch of the A361 will be resurfaced at the end of the scheme, providing motorists with a smoother journey through the village and on the approach to Burrow Mump (which is operated by the National Trust).
Councillor David Fothergill, whose Monkton and North Curry division includes Burrowbridge, welcomed the news on social media.
He said: “Looks like the Burrowbridge road closure will be pushed back to August 3 to avoid other scheduled roadworks in Langport.
“I’m slightly surprised that no-one put two and two together until after it’s all been publicised.”
The council confirmed that the roadworks would still get under way on June 29, with the initial improvements being carried out under temporary traffic lights as planned.
However, a spokesperson added: “After liaising with BT Openreach, we have pushed back the full closure of the A361 at Burrowbridge until August 3, as opposed to July 23, to allow BT Openreach to undertake some urgent work on the A378 Bow Street in Langport between July 27 and August 2.
“This ensures we are not closing two strategically important routes to Taunton at the same time.
“As a result, the full closure will now be in place for a shorter period of time.”
Between August 3 and September 2, this entire section of the A361 will be closed in both directions constantly – though crossing facilities will remain in place and access for residents and businesses (including The King Alfred Inn) will be maintained at all times.
Further 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.
Throughout the Burrowbridge scheme, members of the public can contact the project’s public liaison officer Syed Shah by emailing [email protected] or by calling 07812 449605.
During the full road closure, traffic wishing to access the villages east of Burrowbridge will be diverted back along the A361 to the Walford Cross junction, turn right on the A38 through North Petherton, move through Bridgwater town centre and then take the A372 out towards Westonzoyland and Othery.
Motorists wishing to reach Taunton from the eastern side of Burrowbridge will follow the same diversion in reverse, adding up to 21 miles to journeys in each direction.
While small vehicles may be able to use local roads to achieve a shorter journey, these routes will not be officially advertised as part of a formal diversion.