HE main street through Dunster will be closed for three days from next Tuesday in a bid to alleviate the village of one of its most contentious issues - temperamental traffic lights. As first reported in the Free Press, the village has been plagued by lengthy traffic jams caused by a set of traffic lights in High Street which operate on a timer system, rather than reacting to waiting vehicles. Although Somerset County Council acknowledged there was a fault, engineers originally believed it would be better to resolve the problem outside of the peak tourist season. But as traffic queues and complaints from traders have mounted, the county authority has decided to bring the work forward to next week. Dunster Tourism chairman Peter Mott, of Dollons House, said he was sure the vast majority of businesses would welcome the news, despite the need to close the road. He said: "Traffic has been stacked up past the Yarn Market and I had one friend who took a full half an hour to get through last week. "I know the road will have to be closed but the sooner the work gets done the better for everyone, both residents and tourists alike." He said the county council had intended to carry out the vital repairs in September, but had brought the work forward in light of the problems being caused. "I know people have been complaining bitterly about the lights," Mr Mott said. A spokesman from Somerset County Council said their staff had not experienced any delays when they visited the village but the authority fully accepted there was a fault. The spokesman said: "A contractor damaged the lights but the problem is underground which means the road has to be dug up. "This means the main road will have to be closed for a couple of days." Work is scheduled to start on Tuesday (August 23).