A MAIN route between two Exmoor villages is to be closed for four months for a £500,000-plus repair shortly after Christmas and throughout Easter.

The news was broken on Thursday (November 9) and caused shock and anger among parish councillors and residents.

Bankruptcy-threatened Somerset Council had already closed the B3224 between Wheddon Cross and Exford for two weeks last month while vegetation was cleared at Roundwaters and Openreach carried out telephone poles relocation work.

It has been under temporary traffic lights at Roundwaters for the past three years since a storm brought down a large tree and took out a significant portion of the bank next to the carriageway.

Somerset Council should have started an embankment stabilisation project in October but it was not ready and has now scheduled January 8 to May 10 next year, during which time the B3224 will be permanently closed and a diversion in use.

A council spokesperson said it had always been a ‘big ask’ to try to do the work before Christmas as originally planned, and to start now meant the road would be closed throughout the festive season ‘incurring unnecessary and avoidable disruption to the community’.

The four-month closure was longer than anticipated because it was ‘a complex project requiring large plant and careful planning’.

The spokesperson said: “We anticipate that the road will not be opened for any activities, events, or occasions during the works.

“The contractor will endeavour to do what they can when they can, but to work outside of their proposed methods could well be impractical and unsafe and actually delay completion and incur greater inconvenience, and let us not lose sight of the fact it may give rise to greater cost.”

Exmoor sheep and cattle farmer Oliver Edwards, vice-chairman of Exford Parish Council, said: “This is totally unacceptable for one of the main arteries connecting east and west Exmoor.

“I cannot believe they will be closing the road completely from January to May, not open weekends or evenings.

“I have made my views known in a very blunt and strong email to Somerset Council. I suggest everyone else do the same if not already done so.”

Exford resident and ultra-marathon runner Mary Menon said the closure would be tough on children using the school bus.

Ms Menon said: “Those kiddies have an early pick up and late drop off time as it is without having a lengthy diversion added to their school day.”