WORK on a vital flood prevention scheme begins on a key route this month.

Somerset County Council’s highways team, in partnership with the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA), is carrying out the scheme on the A359 at Marston Magna in several areas.

Work includes repairs to the highway drainage system which helps remove surface water, repairs to a section of a retaining wall adjacent to a nearby watercourse which provides protection from high water levels, and de-silting of a section of the watercourse which will improve flow and capacity.

To ensure road users’ safety, the team will also repair a dislodged road edge stone.

The project follows extensive research undertaken by the SRA in Rimpton and Marston Magna.

The work will involve a road closure from Monday, October 24, to Friday, November 4, 24 hours a day to all traffic, although this will be removed for the weekend in the middle of the two-week period.

Cllr Mike Rigby, the county's executive lead member for transport, said: “The A359 needs this work undertaking as part of our statutory duty to keep our roads safe and well-maintained, and the short-term closure is required to carry out the work safely.

“Our team will do their utmost to ensure disruption is minimised. Please ensure you plan ahead and follow the diversion route.”

SRA chairman Cllr Mike Stanton said: “People living in Marston Magna, and many thousands of drivers going through the village, have long been exasperated by the A359 flooding near the church.

“Research funded by the SRA has helped the county council’s highways department get a much more detailed understanding of flooding problems along that stretch of road.

"I’m very pleased to see that action’s now being taken to reduce flood risks and make people’s lives safer and easier.”

Access will be maintained to households and businesses in the area and the team will work closely with those affected by the works.

Deliveries and access will be accommodated by liaison with on-site operational staff. Every effort will be made to keep the duration of the works to a minimum. Pedestrian access will be maintained.

During the road closure a suggested diversion route will be clearly signposted on site.