YEOVIL NEWS: Major work to get underway on Western Corridor traffic scheme

CONTRACTORS will be arriving on site this week as a major scheme to upgrade key junctions and improve traffic flow on the western side of Yeovil gets underway.

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

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

Somerset County Council has announced on Thursday (October 19, 2017) that mobilisation begins this week with teams from contractor Alun Griffith (Contractors) Ltd arriving to set up a compound off Lysander Road.

Initial preparatory works will take place off the carriageway and cause minimal disruption with the main routes into Yeovil kept clear in the run-up to Christmas.

The public can find out more about the plans, meet the teams and ask questions about what the work involves at two pre-construction drop-in events arranged for early next month.

RESIDENTS: Monday, November 6, 2017, between 3pm to 7pm at The Parish Room, Abbey Community Centre, Abbey Manor Park.

BUSINESSES: Wednesday, November 8, 2017, between 3pm to 7pm at the conference suite (first floor of the main stand) at Yeovil Town Football Club.

Cllr John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “The arrival of our contractor is a big moment and signals the start of this hugely important scheme.

“Everyone who lives or works in Yeovil will be aware of the need for improvements to the road network. We’ve had to demonstrate this need and fight hard to secure funding from central Government.

“Not only will this scheme ease congestion and make it easier for people to walk or cycle into town, it will also support all the planned development in this area – unlocking land for new homes, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.”

A spokesman for Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd said: “We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with Somerset County Council and Somerset District District Council to deliver the planned improvements on the Western Corridor of Yeovil.

“We will work considerately with the community and do our best to minimise disruption to road users during the various construction phases of the programme.”

Steve Hindley CBE DL, Chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Another one of our Growth Deal funded projects is getting off the ground, it’s great to see such progress.

“This work will open up development land for business and housing, as well as improving the strategic transport network in our area, so it’s an ideal project to be part-funded by the LEP.”

You can find out more about the scheme by visiting www.travelsomerset.co.uk/westerncorridor and stay up to date with the latest traffic and roadworks news by following @TravelSomerset on Twitter.

The Western Corridor scheme is expected to cost approximately £14.5m with £6.49m provided by the Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Growth Deal fund, approximately £5m from developer contributions.

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