Pupils and staff at Wadham School in Somerset face an extended period of roadworks as a new junction is constructed to support a large housing development.
Taylor Wimpey Exeter is underway with the Wool Gardens estate in Crewkerne, a substantial scheme that will ultimately include 635 homes, commercial units, a 66-bed care home, and a relief road linking the A30 Yeovil Road with the A356 Station Road.
Local drivers have already experienced months of disruption on Station Road, where temporary traffic lights have been in place since April to facilitate the construction of the southern access for the first 110 homes.
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Now, an additional eight months of roadworks are scheduled to create the northern access point for the remaining houses. Temporary traffic lights will control traffic at the entrance to Wadham School from early September 2023 until late April 2027.
According to Somerset Council’s official roadworks portal, these lights near the junction of Yeovil Road and Ashlands Road will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, remaining until April 30, 2027 - just before pupils commence their GCSE exams.
A spokesperson for Somerset Council commented: “We are actively working with the developer to ensure this start date is met. The lights will be operational 24/7 and will use smart light technology. Currently, the southern junction works are expected to be complete by August 31.”
Meanwhile, construction has begun on the Goldwell Farm site opposite Wadham School, where Allison Homes South West is building 67 affordable homes in partnership with the Abri housing association.
The council noted that discussions regarding potential traffic management measures during construction on Goldwell Farm have not yet occurred with Allison Homes or Abri.
Further information on these and other local roadworks can be accessed through Somerset Council’s website at www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/roadworks-and-travel.
Under current planning permission, Taylor Wimpey may build up to 110 homes on the northern site before needing approval for subsequent phases.
An application for the remaining 415 homes is under consideration; however, the council has not indicated when this will be reviewed by the planning committee.
Significantly, a recent Supreme Court ruling means the development does not have to provide additional phosphate mitigation. This decision is expected to allow construction on the remaining homes to proceed more swiftly once detailed plans receive approval.