Pupils and staff at a secondary school in Somerset are set to experience eight months of roadworks due to the construction of a new junction on Yeovil Road.
Taylor Wimpey Exeter is currently developing the Wool Gardens estate in Crewkerne, a large project that will include 635 homes, commercial units, a 66-bed care home, and a relief road connecting the A30 Yeovil Road to the A356 Station Road.
Local drivers have already faced extended disruption on Station Road, where temporary traffic lights have been in place since April to facilitate the creation of the southern access for the initial 110 homes.
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Now, additional roadworks are planned for the northern access point, which will serve the remaining houses. Temporary traffic lights are expected to be operational at the entrance to Wadham School from early September 2023 until late April 2027.
According to Somerset Council’s official roadworks portal, the temporary lights will be installed on Yeovil Road near the junction with Ashlands Road starting September 1, immediately following the completion of the southern access works. These lights will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and remain in place until April 30, 2027, just before students begin their GCSE exams.
A council spokesperson confirmed: “We are actively working with the developer to ensure this start date is met. The lights will operate continuously, and smart light technology will be used to manage the traffic flow. The southern junction works are scheduled to complete by August 31.”
Construction is also underway opposite the school at the Goldwell Farm site, where Allison Homes South West is delivering 67 affordable homes in partnership with the Abri housing association. The council stated that discussions have not yet taken place with Allison Homes or Abri regarding additional traffic management measures to minimise disruption during construction.
Residents can find information about these and other local roadworks by visiting www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/roadworks-and-travel.
Under current planning permissions, Taylor Wimpey may build up to 110 homes on the northern site ahead of approval for subsequent phases. A separate application concerning the remaining 415 homes is presently under consideration, with no confirmed date yet for planning committee review.
Following a recent Supreme Court ruling, the development is no longer required to provide additional phosphate mitigation. This change is expected to facilitate a faster commencement of construction on the remaining homes once detailed plans receive approval.