CLAIMS that traffic has been ‘flowing much better’ on the A39 after changes to the operation of temporary signals at Dunster Steep have been refuted by Free Press readers.

Somerset Council has put humans in charge of operating its intelligent temporary traffic lights following queues stretching as far back as Bilbrook in one direction and to the gates of Butlin’s, in Minehead, in the other.

A council spokesperson said in an update on work to replace ageing traffic lights controlling the Dunster Steep junction with the A39: “Thanks again for your patience.

“We can report that traffic has been flowing much better through the works site due to the measures taken last week.”

But one Free Press reader said: “Whatever they say they have done, is not working.

“Just taken 50 minutes from mid-Carhampton to Dunster Steep traffic lights.

“Queue was way down to Withycombe, apparently.”

The council said in the coming weeks two-way traffic would be maintained on Mondays and Fridays with priority given to Butlin’s traffic.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays will need to have a one-way shuttle in place at most times, and the lights would be manually controlled at peak times ‘to reduce queuing as much as possible’.

The spokesperson said: “We need to do to this so we can get the work done as quickly and safely as possible.

“Two-way traffic will not allow us to do this.

“It is worth planning ahead on these days and factoring a slightly longer journey time.

“We will do our best to minimise this, but it is important we get this work done as quickly as possible so we can get off the network.”

The work to replace the 30-year-old traffic lights, which started on January 5, could take until May to finish.