REPAIRS to a road bridge on one of the key access routes into West Somerset are to be carried out following local concerns about damage to the structure.

High Bridge which supports the A39 at Williton is the only way into the district for high-sided vehicles because of the height restrictions under railway bridges on the A358 Taunton to Williton road.

But local residents and councillors say prolonged rainfall over the past six months or so has caused erosion, sparking fears about its long-term stability.

Businessman Edward Martin, who owns land and buildings near the bridge, said a stone plinth had been washed away eight or nine months ago.

But he said the situation had deteriorated in recent weeks, particularly since the village suffered serious flooding at the end of November.

"It's got worse again over the last couple of weeks with the river being in a continual flood state," he said.

"A gap is appearing between the ivy and the stonework of the bridge - it looks like a tear is opening up."

The bridge spans the Doniford Stream and Mr Martin said it would cause major problems for vehicles if it was out of action for any significant time.

"I'm not a structural engineer and I don't want to be melodramatic about it, but I am very concerned about it."

Williton Parish Council chairman Cllr Robert McDonald and local West Somerset district councillor Eddie May have both inspected the damage.

"The stones at the base of one of the buttresses are beginning to come away," said Cllr McDonald.

"It is a worry because it appears more and more erosion is taking place.

"We all know what an important access route this is from the A39 and it would have a huge impact on local people and visitors if anything happened to it.

"Our fear is that if we continue to get more rain, the bridge will be seriously damaged."

Cllr McDonald said Cllr May had contacted Somerset County Council, which is responsible for public highways, about the problem.

And this week the authority confirmed it was planning to carry out "early repairs".

A spokesman said the county council wanted to thank the "eagle eyed observation" of local resident Jill Martin, Mr Martin's sister, who had noticed things had changed for the worse.

"The bridge is in largely good repair but an old section of wall in the river appears to have become dislodged and now requires repair," he said.

"Recent movement could increase the risk of erosion around the bridge itself so the county council is planning early repairs.

"The high waters have severely hampered bridge works in the region but county council engineers are getting approvals and resources in place to make the repairs as soon as river levels allow the work to be done safely."

The spokesman said the authority would take the opportunity to also improve some of the fencing around the bridge.

"The council is responsible for over 2,000 road bridges and further 4,000 bridges on public rights of way.

"These structures are routinely inspected but the vigilance of the public is always valuable and particularly so in difficult conditions when resources are stretched."