WORK to repair a main road where a schoolboy was killed in a coach crash last year was on schedule to be completed on Friday (February 27).

Somerset Council contractors started the project on February 9 on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, near Wheddon Cross.

The road was closed at night for the work but progress was so good that this week the nighttime closures were stopped and contractors worked under daytime temporary traffic lights control which had been in place since the crash last July.

Council assistant highway service manager Kali Martin said the switch had reduced disruption to local residents and road users.

Mr Martin said: “This has allowed us to keep the road open where possible while maintaining a safe working environment for the crew.

“The scheme is now approaching its final stages.”

However, Mr Martin said there had been some unavoidable damage to the road surface due to the movement and storage of materials and equipment on site.

So, it was felt the situation presented a good opportunity to carry out resurfacing to ensure the road was returned to a high standard.

Mr Martin said: “Completing this now will avoid the need for a separate return visit later in the year and will provide a smoother, more durable finish for all road users.”

He said delivering the resurfacing work safely and efficiently meant short daytime road closures on Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 3 pm.

Mr Martin said: “These closures will give the crew the necessary working area and will prevent vehicles from travelling over freshly laid material before it has properly cured.

“Once the resurfacing is complete, this will conclude the major civil engineering and reinstatement activities required for this scheme.

“Following this, only minor finishing tasks and site demobilisation will remain, which will be carried out with minimal impact on traffic.”