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Travel and
transport news
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 3 major, time-sensitive projects need access to the town’s road network in the coming months, linked to the Agratas battery facility in Puriton, upgrading the Dunball roundabout and completion of the Celebration Mile.
Temporary restrictions and 1-way systems will be needed and we'll be working closely with contractors to coordinate the works and keep the disruption to a minimum. Road users are being urged to be patient and plan ahead during this very busy time.
Key works include a 1-way system on Puriton Hill for several weeks and overnight closures of the road linking the Dunball roundabout to Junction 23 of the M5. These restrictions will not overlap.
A public drop-in on Wednesday, 20 November, will give people the chance to find out more and ask questions.
 Our major project to remodel a busy junction and help prevent serious collisions has been completed on time and on budget.
Last month our contractor, Octavius Regional Civil Engineering (ORCE), along with local Councillors, marked the official opening of the new Miner’s Arms junction near Priddy – representing an important investment in road safety.
Work by ORCE started in April on the B3135/B3134 intersection, a notorious collision spot. It's the scene of 37 known collisions in the last 20 years. Of these, there have been 11 serious collisions, 3 of which were fatal. In the last 7 years there have been 1 fatality, 2 serious collisions and 9 other less serious collisions.
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Voting is now closed and the results are in. Our 2 new gritters have had their names chosen following a competition involving schools and the public.
The gritters, soon to join our winter fleet are to be named Gritty Gritty Bang Bang and Spready Mercury, named by Brymore Academy and West Pennard C of E School respectively.
We're working with new highways contractor, Kier, to help make roads safer this winter and the gritter naming competition was a fantastic opportunity to involve the community and raise awareness about the importance of road safety during the winter months.
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A decision by the Government to drop a major scheme to dual one of Somerset’s key transport arteries is a ‘big disappointment’ for the county but ‘not the end of the road'.
On 30 October, the decision to shelve a £328 million National Highways upgrade of the A358 between Ilminster and Junction 25 of the M5 at Taunton was confirmed. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced a series of measures to balance the Government’s books which included cancelling a number of rail and road infrastructure projects.
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Our fleet of 23 gritters are ready to be mobilised across 900 miles of treated road as soon as temperatures drop below 1°C this winter.
Along with our new winter service partner, Kier Transportation Ltd, we're working to keep roads safe this winter with the gritter fleet ready to head out when freezing temperatures or snow is forecast.
Road users also need to be ready by keeping their vehicles suitably maintained and travelling according to the conditions.
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On Friday, 8 November, we joined volunteers from the Strawberry Line partnership in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate formal opening the Dulcote Extension and the West Shepton Link.
The Dulcote Extension is an 800m stretch from Dulcote Quarry to Churchill Batch Lane. The West Shepton Link runs from Kent Lane to Ridge Road, a 2.5km stretch that includes a 15ft-long bridge that was craned into place last month and allows path users to safely cross the B3136.
The Strawberry Line is a volunteer created traffic-free path reaching from the Mendips to the sea.
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People living in Somerset are being reminded they have access to a demand responsive transport service known as Slinky.
Demand responsive transport is a bookable, flexible service which residents can use if there is no public transport alternative.
All users need to do is register online to start using the Slinky bus to get to the shops, to visit friends and family, get to college or social clubs, or access medical appointments.
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Somerset Council Highways is partnering with Wessex Water and Wales and West Utilities for two crucial infrastructure projects in Chard in 2025 to reduce flooding.
Wessex Water will invest over £1.3 million to alleviate sewer flooding, and Wales and West will upgrade a gas main for £415,000, with work from January to September 2025.
This collaboration will allow both projects to proceed within necessary road closures, especially on the A358 Furnham Road.
A public drop-in session will be held at Chard Guildhall from 9am to 6pm on Wednesday, 20 November, with representatives available to answer questions.
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This festive season stay safe on Somerset's roads and don't drink or take drugs and drive.
Alcohol affects everyone differently and any amount can impair your ability to drive. The only safe option is to avoid alcohol completely if you’re driving as even ‘just one drink’ could put you over the limit. If you’re driving, don’t drink any alcohol at all.
Help keep Somerset's roads safe and report drink or drug drivers to Avon and Somerset Police's Report drink and drug driving webpage or by calling 101. Alternatively reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If someone is currently driving under the influence of drink or drugs, always call 999.
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Somerset Council is reminding farmers and other operators working on the land to make sure they keep roads clear of mud and debris.
It is an offence to leave mud and other material on the road, and people who do so may be liable to prosecution and for the cost of cleaning it up.
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Image courtesy of ADEPT
What a productive and exciting month October 2024 has been for our joint 'Net Zero Corridors' project in partnership with Hampshire County and Cornwall Councils.
Known as the Wessex 'Live Labs 2' partnership led by ADEPT, to decarbonise local roads in the UK is a three-year, UK-wide £30 million programme funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) that aims to pioneer the UK’s first net zero emission roads.
After a year of intensive design processes, we revealed a sneak peak of our Highways Doughnut Toolkit which will be used to evaluate strategies, policies and maintenance projects on the ground.
We also featured in Highways Magazine and hosted a 'Circle Economy' webinar, sharing how the project has applied the Doughnut Economics model.
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If you struggle with your sight when driving after dark, you could be putting yourself and others in danger.
As part of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) ‘Operation Dark Night’ road safety initiative which ran from 28 October to 10 November, Avon & Somerset Police have been checking drivers’ vision to ensure their eyesight is roadworthy when they get behind the wheel.
To ensure your vision is roadworthy, visit GOV.UK's Driving eyesight rules page.
Rail improvements will impact train services to and from Frome from late December 2024 until 23 January 2025. Engineers will be repairing a viaduct between Warminster and Salisbury as well as renewing tracks in Westbury.
Train services through Westbury will either be suspended or diverted from 27 December to 23 January. Limited services from Bristol Temple Meads will bypass Westbury. Replacement buses will operate between Trowbridge, Westbury, Frome, Salisbury, and Chippenham.
The TransWilts service from Swindon to Westbury will not be available. Trains will keep running between Cardiff Central and Trowbridge, Salisbury and Portsmouth Harbour, and Frome and Weymouth. The London Paddington service will halt at Frome instead of Westbury, except for the period of engineering works from 27 to 29 December.
 TyreSafe launched its annual campaign during October for Tyre Safety Month to educate, support and raise awareness about the vital role regular tyre maintenance plays in road safety.
ACT helps drivers and riders to perform basic tyre safety checks once a month, every month and before long journeys, this includes:
- Air pressure
- Condition
- Tread
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