A STRETCH of the A303 will close later this month due to works linked to a dualling scheme between Sparkford and Podimore roundabouts.

National Highways said the closure from April 19 to April 22 will allow to build a new eastbound carriage way.

A spokesperson said: “We’ll be moving traffic onto a section of the newly built westbound carriageway to allow us a safe area to build the new eastbound carriageway between Steart Hill and Gason Lane.

Chard & Ilminster News: A photo showing the westbound carriageway near Howell HillA photo showing the westbound carriageway near Howell Hill (Image: National Highways)

“To do this, we’ll need to close the A303 between Sparkford roundabout and Podimore roundabout for a weekend, starting on Friday 19 April at 9pm and reopening on Monday 22 April at 6am.

“The traffic management changes will be as follows:

• Eastbound traffic will switch onto a single lane of the new westbound carriageway at Steart Hill through to Gason Lane and then back onto the existing A303.

• Westbound traffic will switch from the existing A303 at Gason Lane and run temporarily on a single lane of the new westbound carriageway, before switching to run temporarily on the eastbound carriageway of the new A303 after Steart Hill.

“There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place over the weekend.

“For the quickest and safest journeys, we’ll be advising road users to use it, rather than seek out their own route or follow sat-navs.

“If we cannot safely carry out the closure on that weekend due to unforeseen circumstances such as poor weather, we’ll instead complete the work the following weekend, from 9pm on Friday 26 April until 6am on Monday 29 April.

“If that needs to happen, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

“We’ve been finishing the new section of westbound carriageway between West Camel and Camel Hill as we prepare to for the next change in traffic layout.

“We’ve nearly finished the groundworks and drainage, so we can start to lay the road surface.

“Once this is done, we’ll be adding the safety barriers and applying road markings so it’s ready for traffic.

“Although you may not be able to see the work, we’re doing behind the treeline near Hazlegrove roundabout, we’ve been making good progress on the groundworks for the new carriageway and the construction of Hazlegrove underbridge.

“With the final works being done to the top of the structure and the ground for the new carriageway being prepared and levelled on the approach, the underbridge has really taken shape."

Chard & Ilminster News:

Speed limit 

The two 30mph speed limit zones within the works area will continue after the changes we’ll make to the road layout in April to ensure the safety of the travelling public and workers.

These speed limits are influenced by various factors such as traffic volume, junctions, road width and alignment.

The map below shows the locations of the speed limit zones as you travel through the roadworks:

Two 50mph zones either end of the scheme at Podimore and Hazlegrove roundabouts

A 30mph zone where the road bends north of Podimore

A 50mph zone between the old Podimore off slip and Steart Hill bridge

A 30mph zone near Howell Hill, where traffic transitions between the existing and new carriageway