As so often seems to happen, this summer sees multiple roadworks in town which will inevitably cause a great deal of disruption. There is a great deal of confusion over what is planned, so we have attempted to bring together the information at our disposal. Most of this information comes from Somerset Council; Bruton Town Council unfortunately has no say about the timing or extent of these works.
There are no less than six major planned works involving road closures.
- Higher Backway & St Catherine Hill (10th July – 13th October) for a new gas main.
- Library junction (17th July – 16th August) for a new junction layout
- Patwell Street & Station Road (23rd August – 26th August) for resurfacing
- A359 & Brewham Road (14th August – 27th August) for resurfacing
- Park Wall & Dropping Lane (21st July 27th July) for resurfacing
- Higher Backway (school days at pick up and drop off times) as part of the School Streets initiative
The published information on the closures is often unclear about exact times and durations, and frequently we just have to “wait and see”. Most of the resurfacing works only involve a closure of a single day per stretch, but it’s impossible at this remove to say when.
The details as far as we have them for the gas main works on Higher Backway have been detailed in a separate post, linked above.
The Library junction works will be done in stages. The first will involve the closure of Coombe Street, the second of High Street. The intention is that the latter will be closed only 9-5, and open at other times when it may be traffic light controlled. While closed, parking will be suspended on High Street to allow two way access in and out for small vehicles, including to the pharmacy.
The Town Council have asked about access to the Surgery, and also if the two sets of works will be happening at the same time – we will update when we hear back.
Several residents have expressed concern about the iron curb edging. We have been assured that it will be retained in Coombe Street, and the curb outside the library will be kept to be reused elsewhere in town.
