A scheme to replace 25-year-old traffic signals at the pedestrian crossing on the A372 with new equipment is scheduled to start next week.
Somerset County Council’s Highways Team is refurbishing the crossing opposite the Co-operative on Westonzoyland Road, as the current equipment has reached the end of its operational life. The scheme is part of a major county-wide £11.6 million signals refurbishment programme.
As part of the replacement process, energy-saving LED lights will be installed. There will also be detection improvements for both vehicles and pedestrians, in addition to wider footways and drainage improvements.
Temporary two-way traffic signals will be in place for the duration of the works that will also include a temporary pedestrian crossing. Work is starting on Monday 25 October and is expected to finish on Friday 17 December.
A road closure is required from the 1st – 3rd December, to undertake the resurfacing works but it will revert to temporary lights once this phase is completed.
Councillor John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways said: “This work is essential due to the age of the signals, and it is part of our ongoing investment in highways infrastructure across the county.
“We appreciate that temporary lights can be disruptive in the short-term and we are doing everything we can to keep this to a minimum. While work is ongoing, I would encourage road users to plan ahead.”
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Somerset County Council looks after 4,172 miles of road and in 2020/21 invested £23.1m to keep the county moving. Highways teams filled 19,282 potholes last year and carried out 556 highway maintenance schemes ranging from drainage works to carriageway and footway resurfacing.