SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Chard roadworks - drainage works are essential

ESSENTIAL drainage works to help protect properties in Chard from the risk of future flooding are due to start next week.

Work to upgrade the existing pipework and install additional gullies on the A358 Old Town and Church Street is due to start on Monday (September 7, 2015) and is programmed to take around eight weeks.

Due to the narrow width of the road, a full road closure will be required so the work can be completed safely.

The scheme will be carried out in two phases to minimise disruption as much as possible.

Phase 1: The A358 Old Town will be closed between the Mill Lane and Holyrood Street junctions. This will enable traffic travelling from the Tatworth and Axminster direction to access the town centre via Duck lane and Crowshute Link. During this period there will be no vehicular access in or out of Bradfield   Way into OldTown. Once the first phase of the works are complete Old Town will be reopened giving access to Holyrood   Street.

Phase 2: The A358 Church Street/Tatworth Road will be closed between the Holyrood Street and Summerfield road junctions. During this period traffic travelling from the Tatworth and Axminster direction wishing to access the town centre will be diverted using the B3167 and A30 via Cricket St Thomas. There will also be no vehicular access in or out of Forton Road during this time.

The county council’s highways spokesman, Cllr David Fothergill, said: “We currently have an issue at this location where surface water on the road can overwhelm the existing drainage system after heavy rain. This can put people’s homes at risk of flooding.

“These improvements will help water drain away more efficiently, which should help reduce the risk of flooding to nearby properties.

“Unfortunately, the only way to install our new drainage system is to close the road. We understand this will have an impact and apologise for any inconvenience caused. Please be assured we will be working with local people to keep disruption to a minimum and striving to complete the work as quickly as we can.”

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