Road to stay shut until September as works overrun

A Somerset community is facing further disruption after a series of roadworks were extended until September.

A stretch of the A358 Furnham Road in Chard has been closed since January but was meant to be complete at the start of this month.

Work is under way on the town's gas pipes and sewers but other issues have been uncovered during the first phase of work, causing delays to the projects.

Meanwhile, the junction of Furnham Road and Glynswood, at one end of the main closure will close from Tuesday ahead of the next phase of sewer works.

Wales & West Utilities have been carrying out a £415,000 upgrade of the gas main, switching from the current metal pipes to long-lasting plastic pipes.

Meanwhile, Wessex Water is also working on £1.3m of improvements to the local sewage network in a bid to reduce the flood risk to nearby properties and businesses.

The work began in January with drivers complaining about "long delays" on nearby diversion routes.

A spokesperson said "good progress" was being made by engineering teams working on the water main renovation along with work on the new sewer.

However, the presence of other utilities, not revealed during the previous surveys of the area, obstructed a short section along the route of the new sewer.

As a result the section of Furnham Road, which was due to have reopened at the end of May, will now remain shut until 1 September.

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