CONFIRMATION has been given by Somerset Council that a revised programme of repairs will start next month on a West Somerset road where a 10-year-old schoolboy was killed when a coach crashed in July of last year.

Temporary traffic lights have been in place since the tragedy on the A396 Cutcombe Hill between Timberscombe and Wheddon Cross while plans were drawn up for a ‘significant’ engineering project.

Contractors will start on the evening of Monday, February 9, after the project was switched from daytime to nighttime working.

The road will be closed between 7 pm and 7 am each night with work scheduled to finish by Friday, February 27.

It will be open under the two-way lights during the day and at weekends.

Council assistant highway service manager Kali Martin said the revised approach was agreed after extensive consultation with stakeholders, event organisers, and community groups.

Mr Martin said night working would minimise disruption for local communities, including any impact on the Snowdrop Valley festival in Wheddon Cross, which runs from January 24 through February.

He said: “This will allow the carriageway to re-open during the daytime to support visitor access and local traffic.

“This revised plan has also been co-ordinated closely with the A39 Dunster traffic signal upgrade, ensuring both projects proceed without compounding disruption on key local routes.

“By aligning timings, we aim to maintain resilience across the network and avoid simultaneous closures or conflicting traffic management.”

Mr Martin said the repair would see a stronger and more reliable solution installed, using king pin concrete anchors with a supporting concrete beam to ensure the long-term stability of the road.

He said: “If works finish earlier than expected, the road will be fully re-opened as soon as practicable.

“We recognise how important both this route and the Snowdrop Valley period are to the community, local economy, and visitors.”