Somerset Council is under increasing pressure to expedite the prolonged roadworks on the A39 in west Somerset before the busy Easter holidays. Since early January, the council and contractor Centregreat have been upgrading traffic signals at the Dunster Steep junction, where the A39 intersects with the A396. This critical upgrade has, however, led to significant delays on one of the region’s key routes.
Local residents have reported travel delays of up to an hour, raising community frustration. Councillor Marcus Kravis, who represents the Dunster division, has publicly urged the council to accelerate the project, calling the current pace “embarrassing” and difficult to justify as Easter traffic looms large.
Despite these concerns, Somerset Council maintains that the current traffic management system is the safest and most practical option, aimed at ensuring completion before the Easter weekend. The council highlights that recent traffic adjustments accommodate holidaymakers traveling to and from Butlin’s holiday park, and extra crews have been deployed to reduce congestion during weekdays and nights.
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Speaking at a full council meeting in Bridgwater, Councillor Kravis emphasized the urgency: “The recent half-term traffic was just a preview of the chaos Easter visitors will bring. The current projected completion of April 2 provides little margin to avoid severe disruption during the school holidays.” He called for transparent communication on potential acceleration measures or earlier completion.
This situation is reminiscent of past disruptions along the A39, including a suspended £1 million cycle path project between Dunster and Minehead that also drew criticism. Councillor Richard Wilkins, overseeing transport and waste services, acknowledged local frustrations but reaffirmed the council’s commitment to safety and timely delivery.
Wilkins stated, “The traffic management layout has been continuously monitored by specialist engineers to balance safety and traffic flow. We have added extra resources and operational shifts to mitigate delays, and speeding up the schedule further is simply not feasible due to the complexity of the works.” He added that the traffic signals being replaced are outdated and in urgent need of renewal to prevent future failures.
With a completion target set firmly for April 2, just before the Easter bank holiday and school holidays begin, the council is focused on minimizing disruption while ensuring the essential upgrade is completed. Residents and businesses continue to await clear updates as the deadline approaches.