A MAJOR Chard road will be shut for resurfacing next month, leaving residents, businesses and emergency services at risk of disruption.

Somerset County Council will be resurfacing the A358 Furnham Road as part of its long-term maintenance programme.

Last month, the News revealed that plans were in place to close the 0.3 mile stretch of road with drivers being told to take the long way round - 22 miles longer.


RELATED: 0.3 miles in 37 minutes? Chard road closure could see drivers forced to take the long way round


There were also fears from two district councillors that the works, which they considered to be "absolutely critical", would be carried out without a proper public consultation.

Cllrs Garry Shortland and Amanda Broom held their own independent consultation in the Guildhall to try and make residents aware of the planned disruptions.

Last month, a spokesperson for Somerset County Council insisted that a full consultation would be held before any tarmac was dug up.

The spokesman said: “We intend to resurface the A358 at Furnham Road this financial year. We recognise the sensitivity of the area and will be undertaking a substantial communications exercise, similar to that which was carried out in advance of the recently completed resurfacing of the High Street.

“We will do this as soon as we are in a position to confirm specific details and will liaise with Chard Town Council and other key stakeholders leading up to and throughout the work.”

The roadworks involve removing the old surface of the road to an average depth of 50mm before laying a new material using specialist equipment.

The work will affect the stretch of road between the B&Q traffic lights and Thorndun Park Drive and will be split into two phases.

Preparatory works are due to start on May 22 and run for three weeks with work being done between 7.30am to 6pm and excluding weekends.

Furnham Road will remain open throughout this phase, although temporary traffic lights will be required at times in certain locations.

Carriageway resurfacing works will then begin on June 15 and are expected to take five nights.

The road will be closed for this stage of works, which will take place between 6.30pm and 7am, and not at the weekends.

Cllr Broom revealed this to residents last month, although at the time SCC said they were not ready to say when works would be taking place.

A spokesman for Somerset County Council has now added: “When we close a road we have a duty to provide an alternative which is along the same class road and is suitable for all vehicles.

"In this case we cannot direct all traffic, which may include lorries and heavy vehicles, to use the residential Thorndun Park Drive.

"However, diversions are advisory and drivers are always free to use their own local knowledge and judgement to find their own way.

"We have met with the town council to discuss the extent of the scheme, have written to around 300 affected residents and will do our best to ensure access to their properties is maintained.

"There may be some disruption at times but we would advise anyone with a specific request to speak directly to the staff on site."

The spokesman added: "Due to the narrow width of the road, and to ensure the safety of the workforce and the travelling public, it will be necessary to close the road during working hours (6pm to 7.30am), with staff available on site to help with any specific requests for access.

"This is vital resurfacing work to improve a busy road near the town centre.

"Although we’ll be taking all reasonable steps to minimise disruption, we do appreciate that some inconvenience is unavoidable. Please take note of the details and plan your journeys carefully."

For more information, visit www.travelsomerset.co.uk.