COMMUTERS from the West Somerset and Wellington areas will start to be affected by a year-and-a-half of major roadworks from Monday (October 27).

The Silk Mills/Staplegrove Road roundabout on the A358 is to be replaced with a traffic light-controlled junction as part of a 713-home new housing development plus 2.5 acres of business premises.

The development is being carried out by Bloor Homes, which built the Longforth Farm estate in Wellington and is currently preparing to develop 161 homes behind the town’s Lidl supermarket and provide access for its planned new railway station.

Contractors CJL Construction will start on the Silk Mills roadworks on Monday and are not scheduled to finish until 2027.

A spokesperson for Bloor said: “The traffic management associated with the scheme will be phased to minimise disruption.

“Most phases of the scheme allow for free movement of traffic in all directions.

“Normal access cannot be maintained as a safe works area needs to be created to allow the necessary construction work to be undertaken.

“This unfortunately reduces the amount of carriageway available and required the implementation of realigned traffic routes.

“Collaborative discussions have been held on how best to minimise the works, while keeping the roads open and maintaining access.

“Multiple phases of traffic management have been planned to ensure each phase of the scheme is restricted to the smallest possible working area, reducing the impact of highway users.

“This approach extends the duration of the scheme with the benefit of a reduction in the level of disruption.

“Night working has been considered but due to proximity of residential properties it is considered unsociable due to higher noise levels.

“However, there may be some evening works for the more disruptive resurfacing works.”

Somerset Cllr John Hunt, who represents neighbouring Bishops Hull, said he met on Tuesday with council officers, Bloor, and CJL to find out more about the work.

Cllr Hunt said: “First, it does look as though Somerset Council, the developer, and main contractor are working together to achieve the best result possible.

“Clearly, it is early days so the jury is still very much out, but at least they are getting their respective ‘ducks-in-a-row’ before the chaos begins.

“Second, I am assured that during the works, temporary traffic lights will not be used.

“In fact, one of them described the possibility as a ‘nuclear option’.

“The object is to keep the traffic flowing, reducing and increasing road widths as they progress through the many weeks and months of the project.

“Will there be delays?

“I think it is pretty inevitable.

“My suggestion would be to travel only if you need to and avoid known busy times if you are able.

“As ever, leave additional time to allow for delays.

“Another option could be using the park and ride service in Silk Mills Road.”

As well as removing the Silk Mills roundabout the work includes drainage improvements and extending an existing culvert, a dedicated right-hand turn lane into the new housing development, and service diversions and utility works.