Starting Monday, June 8, a section of Walford Avenue in Weston-super-Mare will face a partial road closure expected to last up to six months. The closure, which initially affects the stretch between the Queensway junction, is part of a trial by North Somerset Council aimed at improving longstanding traffic and safety concerns in the area.
The closure will eventually expand to a full shutdown of Walford Avenue, allowing essential upgrades to the road infrastructure. The council emphasizes that this initiative is a response to resident feedback and aims to enhance traffic management at one of the town’s busiest junctions.
Councillor Hugh Malyan, cabinet member for highways and transport, stated, “Managing congestion around key junctions like Queensway is crucial to keeping Weston-super-Mare moving efficiently. This trial simplifies the junction’s operation to speed up journeys, particularly for those coming into Worle from the motorway. While drivers leaving the St Georges area will need to adapt their routes, we believe these changes will benefit the wider community.”
READ MORE: Melanie Hall Disappearance and Murder Timeline: 30 Years On from Bath Nightclub to M5 Discovery
READ MORE: Primary School in Keynsham Recognized for Strong Student Support and Sense of Belonging
During the closure, a well-signed diversion will guide drivers via Walford Avenue and Wansborough Road to reconnect with Queensway. Traffic signals at the Walford Avenue junction will be temporarily disabled, although those at nearby Bristol Road will remain active. Drivers can still make a left turn from Queensway onto Walford Avenue until the full closure is implemented at a later, unspecified date.
The roadworks are part of a broader transport improvement scheme around Queensway, designed to deliver upgraded junctions, safer pedestrian and cyclist crossings, and modern traffic management systems. The council anticipates these enhancements will result in quicker and safer journeys, especially during peak travel times.
Local drivers are advised to allow additional time for their journeys and to follow all posted diversion signs throughout the duration of the closure.