An alleged failure to carry out road lining work in Yeovil has been deemed "a serious breach of duty of care".

The damning accusation comes from Yeovil Town Council and is directed at Somerset County Council.

As reported a month ago, the senior traffic warden for the Yeovil area said it was difficult to enforce 'no waiting' and other restrictions because of poor road markings.

In a number of locations, yellow lines and other road markings have either faded or not been replaced following road works, it was claimed at a town council committee meeting on September 17th.

Prior to the meeting a list of areas of particular concern was circulated, which were: Lower Middle Street (both sides), Newton Road (Barnabas House side), Reckleford (near shops at the bottom), Lyde Road (outside Spar shop), Westminster Street (next to Westminster Bank), The Borough (the bus stop), Stars Lane (outside bingo hall), South Western Terrace (loading bay), Central Road (the pelican), Sandhurst Road (near junction with West Coker Road), Glenthorne Avenue (the area to be resurfaced) Mary Street (not specified) and Horsey Lane (not specified).

During the meeting, it was reported that work had been carried out at Westminster Street, The Borough, Stars Lane and Sandhurst Road since the list was compiled.

But town councillors were particularly concerned that no work had been undertaken at Central Road and Glenthorne Avenue.

Road markings are the responsibility of the county council, so it was decided to write a letter to the local highways manager, Geoff Dight, asking about the outstanding work and also suggest a meeting between him and the senior traffic warden.

The full council met earlier this month and town clerk Alan Tawse reported that he had checked the areas concerned and found that, apart from repainting of yellow kerb bars on Glenthorne Avenue, nothing had been done since the September meeting.

During the ensuing debate, councillors felt that the failure to carry out the work constituted a serious breach of the County Council's duty of care as a highway authority.

A letter has been sent to County Council headquarters in Taunton, demanding an explanation. The county council's portfolio holder for transport and the environment has also been made aware of the town council's concern.