DRIVERS have been warned about six weeks of roadworks which will take place on the A39 near Minehead to complete a local walking and cycling route this summer.
Somerset County Council completed work in June 2023 on a £1m shared used cycle path along the A39 between the Seaward Way roundabout in Minehead and the Marsh Lane housing development in the neighbouring village of Dunster.
The scheme had a rocky route to completion, with work being suspended late-April 2023 after residents’ complaints about queues caused by the temporary traffic lights – which led to the work to be completed through a series of overnight closures.
Work will begin on Tuesday evening (May 6) on the next stage of the path, linking the existing section to the junction with the A396 Dunster Steep and the existing underpass.
The scheme (which is funded by grants from Active Travel England) will see the existing, narrow link between the wider shared use path of the A396 widened and resurfaced, enabling pedestrians and cyclists to pass in both directions safely.
Somerset Council (which replaced the county council in April 2023) has confirmed that the work will not require any daytime closures on the A39 between Minehead and Dunster – meaning there should be limited disruption to holidaymakers coming to Butlin’s or others visiting the town.
A Somerset Council spokesman said: “This work is the completion of the improvement work to the existing route to Minehead. A similar standard can be expected.
“We can’t give a specific cost at this stage, but it is anticipated the work will be on schedule.
“There is no traffic management during the day, with light traffic management during the evening at the beginning and end of scheme – meaning that disruption will be minimal.”
The council confirmed on its official roadworks portal that its contractor Octavius would carry out the first stage of the work under temporary traffic lights, which would be in place from 7pm and 7am daily until Tuesday, May 13.
From Tuesday, May 6 and until Tuesday, June 17, the footpath between the Marsh Lane junction and Marsh Street will be closed, as will the junction of Marsh Street itself.
This section of the A39 will also also be subject to a 30mph speed limit for the duration of the roadworks.
The council was previously awarded £1.5m of Active Travel England funding in May 2023 to deliver similar enhancements on the A39 between Dunster and Carhampton.
While this scheme was confirmed by the council in December 2023, no work has been implemented 18 months on – and officers have not made it clear whether this scheme has been merely postponed or outright abandoned.
A spokesman said: “Completion of this section (in Dunster) is being funded from our active travel funds. At this time no further works through to Carhampton are planned.”
For more details on this project and other roadworks in your area, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/roadworks-and-travel.