Long-running roadworks will continue to be a feature on the Devon-Somerset border after a much-needed repair scheme was pushed back again.
Since July 2021, motorists travelling on the A30 have had to contend with temporary lights at Crawley Farm, located between Chard and Yarcombe.
The lights were installed by Devon County Council following a landslip which threatened the eastbound carriageway, with motorists facing delays of several minutes ever since.
The council confirmed in April 2023 that it would be finally removing the lights and repairing the road, committing around £400,000 to the project.
Having delayed the scheme from the autumn of 2023 to January 2024, the scheme has now been postponed once more, with the council now intending to start work in mid-February.
The A30 serves as the main road between Chard and Honiton, as well as providing a crucial diversionary route when the A303 around Ilminster is congested.
It also provides one of the main thoroughfares through the Blackdown Hills national landscape (formerly known as area of outstanding natural beauty, or AONB), with the closed section being in close proximity to both the Ferne Animal Sanctuary and the popular South Somerset Holiday Park.
The council’s official roadworks portal indicates that the work to reopen the road will now get under way on February 19, with the scheme being completed and the lights removed by March 29.
A spokesman said: “The work is to be completed predominantly under two-way traffic lights. Road closures required for certain activities during the works.
“These are likely to be for a couple of days at a time (possibly up to a week) and the public are to be notified in advance.”
The council stated in April 2023 that the road closure had been necessary to prevent traffic heading into Somerset from weakening the bank further, which could put motorists, pedestrians and the nearby farm at risk.
A spokesman said on Tuesday (January 16): “We have been working over the last 12 months to undertake ground investigations and topographical surveys, and to move the unstable BT pole.
“We had worked up a design to install sheet piles and rebuild the bank to provide the required support to allow the road to be reopened; however this proposal has now been deemed unsuitable due to the size of the rig required to install them.
“It would likely require an 80-tonne crane to lift in the sheet piles and install them to the required depth, and we are working to find a solution which doesn’t need a full road closure to complete the works.
“We are now looking at a soil nail and retaining wall option, but this will require some temporary access works on the farmers land below and also the partial removal of his cattle shed due to lack of working space.
“This is currently being discussed with the landowner to work out a solution that is viable for all parties involved.”
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