Work on a major road safety scheme to reduce deaths and serious injuries at a notorious collision spot will start in June.
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. The project was due to start on Monday 27 April but following some final adjustments to the plans it is now scheduled to begin in mid- June.
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.
The council’s contractor Octavius is delivering the £4 million scheme and has rejigged the schedule working with Somerset Council colleagues, due to a change to the size and shape of the soakaway and infiltration pond which is a key part of the project. Because of the scope of the project, it is not possible to keep the road open during the works, but due to the later start date, the programme has now been shortened to ensure completion in the autumn.
The money comes from Government capital grant funding allocated for road safety schemes.
There will be a full 24/7 road closure at the junction and diversions will be in place during this time.
