AN eleventh hour campaign has been launched to oppose a major West Somerset highways project due to start on January 5.

Somerset Council principal contractor Centregreat is to replace the traffic lights at the Dunster Steep junction with the A39.

The signals are said to be more than 30 years old and at the end of their working life, with the project to replace them expected to take until May to complete.

But Watchet town councillor and traders’ leader John Richards is urging people to complain to council leader Cllr Bill Revans, MP Rachel Gilmour, the Free Press, and, ‘anybody else you can think of’.

Mr Richards, who is chairman of WACET, the Watchet chamber of trade, said consultation and discussion about the project had only taken place in Dunster ‘for some reason’.

He said: “The traffic lights, according to highways, need replacing as old.

“To me, they work fine and this is just another waste of public money, but, if you look at the scheme, that is a ‘done deal’.

“It will be another disastrous situation for Watchet and Williton, let alone the traffic chaos it will cause at Ellicombe roundabout, especially on Butlin’s changeover days.”

Mr Richards said the detailed plan showed traffic leaving Dunster to go to Watchet, Williton, Washford, and Taunton would now not be allowed to turn right at the junction.

Instead, motorists were expected to turn left and drive a mile to the Ellicombe roundabout in Minehead, go around it, and return.

Mr Richards said it was ‘absolutely crazy’, as the traffic lights were not presently an issue.

He said: “It will mean extra traffic there in Minehead and anybody who was coming to our area from Dunster is likely to stay in Minehead instead, as they have to drive there to turn around.

“I have no idea who dreamed up the harebrained scheme, but it is never too late to repair the damage.”

Somerset executive Cllr Richard Wilkins said: “These signals are over 30 years old, and replacing them now will prevent the significant disruption that an emergency repair would cause.”

Cllr Wilkins said the whole of the junction would be resurfaced and re-lined and new signage installed once the project was finished.

A council spokesperson said: “These works ensure improved junction performance and long-term reliability at a key access point for Dunster, Minehead, and Exmoor.

“Delivering the works between January and April avoids the peak Minehead tourism season.

“The works will begin on January 5 and will be delivered in phases to minimise disruption.”

The spokesperson said the right turn ban would improve the efficiency of traffic flow on the A39.

They said access would be maintained for residents, businesses, and emergency services, and advance warning signs would be placed ahead of each phase of the work.