Somerset Council has revealed that the expenses incurred from maintaining temporary traffic lights around a persistent sinkhole have surpassed what it would have cost to repair the road itself.
The issues first appeared in July 2021 on the B3152 Station Road in Castle Cary, an area near a new development by Persimmon Homes Severn Valley, which includes 162 homes, commercial spaces, and a primary school.
To protect motorists and pedestrians, temporary traffic lights were installed in July 2024 between Almsford Close and Victoria Gardens. However, Councillor Henry Hobhouse, representing Castle Cary and neighboring villages, disclosed at the council’s climate and place scrutiny committee meeting on November 19 in Taunton that the ongoing costs of these temporary lights have exceeded the potential cost of repairing the sinkhole itself. This prolonged approach has been ongoing despite the road visibly deteriorating over four years.
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Hobhouse highlighted the delay and questioned current protocols: “It’s been there 18 months as a sinkhole, though the road started to collapse four years ago. Our highways engineer was tasked by legal teams to identify the sinkhole’s cause before proceeding. Now, the expense of the lights outstrips the original repair cost, yet no fundamental repair has been made.”
Drawing from his 20 years working in railways, Hobhouse criticized the lack of an emergency fund for infrastructure issues, emphasizing the need for immediate action on dangerous situations rather than prolonged delays.
Local residents have expressed frustration, even celebrating the sinkhole’s “4th Birthday” with balloons and signage.
Councillor Hayward Burt echoed concerns about similar delays and the financial burden of extended roadworks in his division. He cited a case with £168,000 spent on temporary lights over a year and urged for a comprehensive review of how often such incidents occur countywide.
Mike O’Dowd-Jones, Somerset Council’s service director for infrastructure and transport, acknowledged the issue and offered to discuss details in future meetings.
In response, Councillor Hobhouse requested a detailed report to be presented early next year for public scrutiny, aiming to address inefficiencies and prevent similar costly delays going forward.