OVERNIGHT road closures are planned in Yeovil as work to improve a major route continues.

The next phase of the Yeovil Western Corridor improvement scheme is due to start next month, with overnight road closures planned.

The Western Corridor scheme is a multi-million pound package of improvements by Somerset County Council to ease congestion by increasing the capacity of several junctions and upgrading links for pedestrians and cyclists.

It will also support the delivery of more than 1,500 homes and 20 hectares of employment land nearby.

The work is being carried out offline or by using lane closures wherever possible to minimise the impact.

However, the next phase involves installation of ducting, utilities, traffic signal equipment and kerbing, changing road levels and resurfacing – works which will require more extensive traffic management.

To avoid the use of temporary four-way traffic lights during peak travel times, contractor Alun Griffiths will be working at night under temporary road closures between 8pm and 6am.

Councillor John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “We’re committed to minimising disruption and have looked carefully at our options for this next phase.

"We’ve also listened to feedback and it’s clear that closing sections of the road overnight is preferable to having four-way traffic lights in place at all times.

"Please take note of the dates and times and plan ahead to avoid getting caught out."

The current plan is as follows, although programme and dates may change as the work progresses:

October 15 to November 2 (8pm to 6am): A3088 Western Relief Road closed between Westlands Roundabout and Lysander Road Roundabout

November 5 to November 23 (8pm to 6am): Bunford Lane closed between Westlands Roundabout and Bluebell Roundabout.

November 26 to December 14 (8pm to 6am): A3088 Lysander Road closed between Lysander Road Roundabout and Laburnum Way.

Meanwhile, Alun Griffiths is continuing to make progress at other locations across the Western Corridor, including at the Copse Road, Westlands, and Lysander Road roundabouts.

Construction of the new retaining wall along Western Avenue is also on programme.