Work on a major road safety scheme aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries at a notorious collision spot starts in July.
Work will be done to replace the existing junction at Whitnell Corner near West Horrington, close to Wells, where the Bath Road B3139 intersects with the B3135, with a new roundabout. Work commences on 6 July and a 24/7 road closure will be in place for the duration of the scheme.
The junction is governed by a national speed limit in all directions and it has been the scene of 67 collisions over 20 years, including 15 serious incidents and one fatality in 2019. Between 2019-2024 there were 22 collisions, three of which were serious, and one fatal.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Highways and Transport said:
This is an incredibly important scheme and it’s fantastic that we have accessed the funding to deliver it.
This is about saving lives and preventing injuries at a difficult junction where there has been a significant number of serious collisions.
We appreciate there will be a temporary impact on residents, businesses and road users; we are working hard to minimise this as much as possible and are grateful for everyone’s patience while we deliver this vital scheme.
The council’s contractor Octavius is delivering the £4 million scheme. Because of the scope of the project, it is not possible to keep the road open during the works, but the scheme will be completed by the end of the year.
The money comes from Government capital grant funding allocated for road safety schemes.
