Bridgwater motorists will be given a respite from roadworks after key improvements in a neighbouring village finished ahead of schedule. The A39 Puriton Hill was subject to a one-way system in the run-up to Christmas 2024, with work being undertaken to connect the new £4bn Agratas gigafactory (being built at the Gravity site near Puriton) to the existing power network.
Somerset Council had originally planned to reintroduce the one-way system from Saturday (January 11) until February 9, with traffic only being able to move southbound away from junction 23 of the M5. But after working around the clock in the autumn, the majority of this project – has been completed ahead of schedule, meaning this one-way system is no longer needed.
The remaining work on this project will be handled in two phases under temporary traffic lights – one set at the junction of the A39 Bath Road and Bower Lane (which will be in force from January 13 to 26) and one set at the junction of Bath Road and Puriton Hill (from February 15 to March 2).
The relatively free movement of traffic in both directions along the A39 – which links Bridgwater to Street, Glastonbury and Wells – is expected to bring respite to motorists who are also having to contend with the ongoing upgrade of the Dunball roundabout and the closure of Eastover as the Celebration Mile is delivered.
Further work will be needed before the summer to install cables into the underground ducting that has been put in place – with the council expected to confirm the dates for this in the coming weeks.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, at the Dunball roundabout drop-in event at Puriton Village Hall
(Image: Daniel Mumby)
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said: “It’s great news that we can avoid having to put another one-way system in place at this time, thanks to a tremendous effort by the JSM team.
“With work on this scale there is always disruption, and we are pleased that the contractor has pulled out the stops to try keep it to a minimum. There is a huge amount of investment in and around Bridgwater at the moment.
“That’s very positive, but we know people in the town are coping with a lot of work on the roads and we appreciate their patience and continued support.”
Eastover is expected to remain closed to traffic until early-July, with the other elements of the Celebration Mile (at Angel Crescent and Clare Street) due to be completed by the autumn.
The Dunball roundabout upgrade – which is being predominantly funded through the government’s levelling up fund – is due to be completed around the time of the annual Bridgwater Carnival.
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