Press release

A303 near Chard to close over weekend for essential drainage improvements

Road users will benefit from improved drainage on the A303 near Chard as a result of work starting on Friday (28 February).

The A303 between Southfields Roundabout (junction with A358) and Devonshire House (junction with A30) will be closed from midnight on Friday 28 February until 1am on Monday 3 March for this essential work to be carried out safely.

Highways Agency Project Manager Rachel Scott said:

This work is essential in order to improve drainage on this section of the A303 and will significantly enhance safety for road users. We do advise drivers affected by the closure to plan ahead and leave extra time for their journeys.

The work requires a full closure of the A303 in order to excavate in the middle of the road. It will include replacing a number of pipes and reinstating sections of embankment and pavement which have been eroded by repeated incidents of flooding from adjacent fields.

At this time of year traffic flows are at their lowest over the weekend, so a weekend closure minimises the impact on road users.

During the closure clearly signed diversions will be in place. Westbound traffic will be diverted onto the A358 via Chard and then onto the A30, while eastbound traffic will be diverted onto the A30 via Chard and then onto the A358.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer

Published 26 February 2014