CONTRACTORS working on a site set to deliver 25 new homes in Carhampton have pledged to minimise traffic delays and ensure emergency vehicles have a clear path.

Work is currently underway at Townsend Farm - almost 25 years after planning permission was first granted to convert the agricultural buildings into residential dwellings.

But as reported in last week's Free Press, local people raised concerns about the three-way traffic light system set up at the junction of Winsors Lane and the A39 while foul sewer and storm water connections were completed.

They claimed the fixed setting of the lights was leading to long queues building up in one direction, while the other direction was almost traffic free.

And they said emergency vehicles would find it extremely difficult to travel along the A39 if it was blocked by stationary vehicles.

But this week Halsall Construction, the main contractor for the scheme, said its staff would man the lights throughout the working day and override the automatic settings to prioritise traffic movement in the event in the event of an emergency vehicle approaching – as had happened last week when Somerset County Council highways engineers were on site.

Halsall Construction met with the engineers to review the traffic management plan following the concerns raised locally.

The company said that after the early morning peak period, traffic would again be restricted to single file and controlled by the lights whilst the drains were installed under the A39.

Once clear of the drainage installation in the main carriageway, work in Winsor Lane would be completed under a temporary road closure of the lane to minimise the inconvenience to road users.

Colin Smethurst, the company's contracts manager, said: "We apologise to all road users for the inconvenience and delays.

"We will continue to work closely with highway engineers and the local community to complete the works as quickly as possible and minimise disruption for Carhampton."

A total of 20 affordable and five open market homes will be built on the site in a development by Hastoe Housing Association.

The site and its development has been fraught with difficulties and over the years many different individuals, organisations and agencies have had an involvement in it.

Robert Aspray, regional head of development at Hastoe Housing Association, said the organisation was very excited to finally be starting work at Townsend Farm.

"These homes have been nearly 25 years in the making and will provide much needed affordable housing to the local community."

The homes are set to be completed by spring next year.

West Somerset councillor Keith Turner said he was delighted that the scheme had come to fruition within his time as lead member for housing.

"I am also grateful that Hastoe have persevered with a scheme that has proven challenging for them to say the least."