AN Exmoor road closure which will turn a four-minute drive into a 53-mile diversion, taking an hour and a half, came into force today.

A one-mile stretch of the B3224 through Exford and a three-quarter mile section of the B3223 through Simonsbath were closed on Wednesday for Somerset County Council roadworks and are not due to reopen until October 9.

A Travel Somerset spokesman said the closure will be in place 24 hours a day. Travelling eastwards from Exford, drivers should follow the B3224 to Wheddon Cross and the A396 through North Quarme and Bridgetown towards Oakfordbridge where the route reaches Newtown on the B3227.

The route then joins the A361 before re-joining the B3227 at Bish Mill. Bypassing an A361 road closure at Johnstone, traffic now heads for the B3226 and A399, passing Exmoor Zoo before taking the B3358 to Simonsbath.