A zebra crossing on one of Chard’s busiest main roads won’t be improved during months of roadworks on the neighbouring roads.
Wales and West Utilities began work on Friday (October 25) on work to upgrade the gas pipes for the homes either side of the A358 Furnham Road, which runs north of Chard town centre.
The roadworks, which will be carried out in two phases in the run-up to Christmas, will see temporary lights in effect near the Furnham Road zebra crossing, which links residential streets to the west to the town’s enterprise centre and the Stop Line Way active travel route.
But Somerset Council has stated it will not use this opportunity to make improvements to the crossing, stating it is not part of its current maintenance programme.
The zebra crossing was installed in 2021 by Somerset County Council as part of a small improvement scheme, and has proved successful at slowing traffic speeds near the junction with Beeching Close, which leads to the town’s housing waste recycling centre.
A spokesman said: “The Furnham Road zebra crossing is not part of a current maintenance programme.
“The condition of the road markings will be monitored and maintenance will be done when the road markings reach the intervention level as set out within the Highways Service Inspection Manual.
“This crossing was installed in 2021 and would have been subject to a comprehensive safety audit. We are not aware of any local concerns about the crossing.”
Wales & West Utilities will be carrying out its roadworks in two phases, ensuring that Chard’s gas network is future-proofed ahead of further housing being delivered (along with a new care home currently under construction off Chaffcombe Road).
During phase one, which runs from Friday (October 25) to November 3, two-way traffic lights will be in force on Furnham Road and Hornsbury Hill, and a road closure will be in place on Thorndun Park Drive near the A358 junction.
Those living on Thorndun Park Drive will still be able to access the town centre via Glynswood during this phase.
Phase two (which runs from November 18 to December 20) will see the closure of the T-junction of Furnham Road and Furzehill – though access for residents will be maintained.
These upgrades precede a wider £1.7m project, being carried out jointly by the council, Wessex Water and Wales & West Utilities, to “alleviate sewer flooding and upgrade gas pipes near the town centre”.
These works will take place in 2025, with further information being shared with Chard residents in due course.
Wales & West Utilities project manager Roxanne Whittaker said: “While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across Chard.
“Whether it’s heating your home, making the family dinner or having a hot bath, we understand how important it is for your gas supply to be safe and reliable and there when you need it.
“We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it really is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future.
“We’ll have a team of gas engineers on site throughout the project to make sure our work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.
“This work is essential to keep the gas flowing to local homes and businesses today, and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future.”
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