MOTORISTS face a diversion of up to 21 miles later this month to allow for a key road over the Somerset Levels to be repaired.
The A361 runs through the village of Othery, providing a key link between the north-eastern edge of Taunton and the A39 leading to Street and Glastonbury.
Somerset Council and its contractor Heidelberg will be closing the Fore Street and High Street sections for 13 nights between January 22 and February 8 to allow resurfacing work to be carried out.
During these closures, motorists will be diverted through Bridgwater town centre and along the M5 corridor.
The roadworks will be in force between the junction with Paynes Lane, at the western entrance to the village, and the junction with the A372 New Road leading to Langport.
The road will be closed between 6.30pm and 11.30pm on weekdays between Wednesday (January 22) to Saturday, February 8 – with access being maintained for residents throughout this time.
The A361 High Street in Othery, near the junction with Paynes Lane ((Image: Google Maps))
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services (whose Curry Rivel and Langport division borders Othery), said: “This is a really important scheme delivering a fresh surface on a busy, vital route across the Levels.
“It’s inevitable there will be disruption when we do this work, and that’s why it is being done outside of peak hours.
“The team will do their best to get the work completed as quickly and painlessly as possible – please do liaise with them if you are a resident and need to raise any issues around access.
“We are extremely grateful to residents for their support and understanding while this work is done.”
During the road closures, motorists wishing to travel west to east will be diverted back along the A361 to Monkton Heathfield and onto the A38 towards North Petherton and Bridgwater.
From there drivers will be directed through Bridgwater town centre and back onto the A372 out to Westonzoyland – adding up to 21 miles to their journey.
Motorists travelling from east to west will follow the same diversion in reverse.
The council is expected to announce details in the coming weeks of further roadworks in the Othery area, including repairs to the A372 New Road and Loadpool – near the site where seven homes were approved in August 2024, with a further 46 homes and a convenience store being in the pipeline.
Work is also expected to be carried out on the A361 at East Lyng – a road which has been subject to significant flooding in recent years, and which has seen calls for changes in the speed limit following two recent fatalities.
For more information on roadworks in your area, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/roadworks-and-travel.