Somerset Council has “no serious plans” to prevent “traffic chaos” in Chard during nine months of roadworks in the new year, according to a local resident.
From early-January, the company will be turning its attention to the Furzehill and Glynswood area of the town, carrying out its upgrade alongside separate sewer improvements in the same area by Wessex Water.
Wales & West Utilities has been working since late-October to upgrade the gas pipes along the A358 Furnham Road – with the second phase of this work expected to conclude shortly before Christmas.
Somerset Council’s highways department (which has been coordinating these roadworks) published details in mid-November of the various road closures which will be in place until the autumn of 2025.
But Chard resident David Burfield believes the roadworks will not be properly managed by the council, adding to the town’s growing congestion woes and resulting in local businesses taking a big hit in the new year.
Mr Burfield – who lives on the eastern side of the town – expressed his concern to local MP Adam Dance after attending a drop-in event at The Guildhall on November 20.
He said: “Traffic congestion in Chard during peak times is already a problem; as the east-west and north-south traffic is funnelled through a single set of traffic lights where the major A30 and A358 arteries cross.
READ MORE: Somerset A358 and other roads will close due to Chard works
“Unfortunately, for many years local planning authorities have been unable to agree on a bypass route to alleviate this problem.
“Local residents as well as through drivers have become resigned to the delays and inconvenience.
“However, residents have been recently informed of a major sewer and gas pipe upgrade scheduled to last for a period of nine months. During this period critical roads will be closed, almost certainly leading to traffic chaos in Chard for the best part of a year.”
The prospect of an eastern relief road (ERR) for Chard has been discussed by councillors for decades, with the council seeking to deliver the bulk of the new routes through a series of housing developments between the A358 Tatworth Road and the A358 Furnham Road (via the A30 Crewkerne Road).
Mr Burfield said that recent preliminary roadworks on Furnham Road meant it took him half an hour to drive from Chard Community Hospital on Crewkerne Road to the town’s leisure centre on Silver Street – a journey which would normally only take a few minutes.
He said: “I recognise that the proposed works to renew sewers to overcome flooding and renovate gas pipes is a crucial and important exercise that will cost close to £2m.
“I also acknowledge that the bodies involved have taken steps to inform residents and to provide a public drop-in to discuss the project.
“However, I regret to say that no serious plans have been put in place to mitigate the impending traffic chaos.”
Mr Burfield described the public drop-in event as “a tick-box affair” and called on the council to be more proactive in ensuring that the town would not become gridlocked from January onwards.
He said: “I am frankly aghast that apparently no-one is aware of the impending traffic chaos or concerned about the economic and environmental costs.
“Not only are tens of thousands of work hours going to be lost, but incredible amounts of exhaust gases are going to be pumped into the air by queuing vehicles.
“Judging by the current road works, traffic management will consist of simply a few road closed and diversion signs and motorists will be left to their own devices to try and avoid the chaos.
“For one week,perhaps, we can grin and bear – it but for 9 months the cost is too much. It will affect the whole of the community – schoolchildren, shop owners, people travelling to work, bus lines and emergency services.
“East Street has been partially closed for nearly two weeks to excavate less than 40 metres of pavement – the work appearing to be carried out at a snail’s pace.
“Either it is a very complex installation or an example of extremely poor planning and implementation.”
Mr Burfield has suggested that the traffic lights at the Convent Link junction (where the A30 and the A358 meet) should be re-timed during the roadworks to prevent long tailbacks – something he believes could be done with little to no extra cost for the council.
Yeovil MP Adam Dance acknowledged that the roadworks were “a significant concern” for local residents and promised to do what he could to minimise disruption.
Mr Dance – who also represents South Petherton and Islemoor on Somerset Council – said: “The upcoming roadworks in Chard are a significant concern for many residents and businesses, and I completely understand the frustrations about the potential disruption they may cause.
“Mr. Burfield highlights the need for clear, effective traffic management plans to ensure Chard remains accessible throughout this essential work.
“While these projects, involving over £1.7m of investment from Wessex Water and Wales & West Utilities, are critical for upgrading sewer and gas infrastructure to future-proof Chard, it’s vital that every effort is made to mitigate the impact on residents, businesses, and visitors.
“I will continue to work closely with the council and the utility companies to monitor progress and to ensure that disruption is minimised as much as possible.
“I want to thank residents like Mr. Burfield for speaking up and sharing their concerns. My office is in contact with him, and I encourage anyone else who is affected to get in touch so I can raise these issues on your behalf.”
Phase one of the roadworks will run from January 6 to February 12, 2025, and will concern a short stretch of Victoria Avenue between Furnham Road and Great Western Road (leading towards the Henson Park estate).
No parking signs will be installed along this section of the road while the sewer upgrade is ongoing, with traffic being diverted along the A30 East Street and Furnham Road.
Phase two will run from February 13 to May 30, and will see Furnham Road closed between Glynswood and Victoria Avenue – though access will be maintained for local residents.
Motorists will be diverted along Victoria Avenue and East Street while the sewers and gas network is upgraded in this area.
Phase three will run from May 22 to June 30, with the sewer upgrade centring around the junction of Furnham Road with Glynswood.
During this phase, motorists from the east will be diverted along Victoria Avenue, East Street and Furnham Road, while those from the west will be diverted along the A30 Fore Street, Helliers Road, Crimchard and Glynswood.
The fourth and final phase will also begin on May 22 and will run until September 29, focussing on the eastern end of Glynswood – with the same diversions being in force as in phase three.
Somerset Council said that carrying out these roadworks simultaneously, rather than consecutively, would reduce disruption to both residents and visitors – adding that it would continue to take feedback on board as the work got under way.
A spokesman said: “We fully understand people’s concerns about disruption, but these are essential works to ensure an efficient gas supply for residents is maintained and the drainage system is upgraded to help alleviate sewage flooding which has caused problems for some residents in the area.
“While any road closures are unfortunate and a last resort, any disruption caused by the work has already been significantly reduced by having both schemes being done at the same time, collaboratively.
“The alternative would be separate schemes at separate times which would increase both their duration and disruption caused.
“The recent drop-in community event was an opportunity for the public and businesses to find out more about the work and to flag concerns and issues. We are continuing to look at these in the build-up to the work starting, to ensure any disruption is minimised as much as possible.
“Our team was there to explain the closures and traffic management, as well as respond to any questions or listen to concerns.
“We are taking all feedback into consideration and will discuss this with both Wessex Water and Wales & West, as all options will continue to be explored to see how the impact of the works can be minimised further, where possible.”
Share