The long-awaited construction of a £4 million roundabout at Whitnell Corner near Wells is set to begin on Monday, June 15. This crucial junction, located near West Horrington where the B3135 meets the B3139 Bath Road just outside the Mendip Hills national landscape, has a troubling history of accidents.
Over the past two decades, Whitnell Corner has seen 67 collisions, including 15 serious injuries and one fatality in 2019. With a 60 mph speed limit on all approaches, the junction’s safety has been a growing concern for residents and local authorities alike.
Initially scheduled to start on April 27, work was postponed to allow for final design refinements. These adjustments included changes to the size and shape of a soak-away and nearby pond to better protect the new roundabout from local flooding issues. The delay will also help ensure that the junction can reopen sooner than originally planned, weather permitting.
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Somerset Council will oversee the project, with construction carried out by their selected contractor, Octavius. The entire £4 million funding for this essential safety upgrade comes from central government grants dedicated entirely to road safety improvements, separate from routine road maintenance budgets.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, responsible for transport and waste services, emphasized the importance of the scheme: “This junction has been identified as a priority for some time. While the closure will cause some disruption, particularly for local businesses, the reduction in risk of death or serious injury is paramount.”
Due to the scope of the works, the junction will remain closed in all directions until the project is complete in the autumn. Diversions and updates on other nearby roadworks are available on the Somerset Council website.
Roads Policing Inspector Matt Boiles from Avon and Somerset Constabulary praised the initiative, stating, “Our officers have responded to many serious collisions here. Alongside education and enforcement, redesigning this junction is critical to saving lives and preventing severe injuries.”