Somerset Council's highways team is set to roll out a robust series of enhancements for Bruton's road network this summer. With careful consideration given to minimising disruption for local residents, businesses, and regular commuters, the comprehensive improvement plan will take place in a continuous run from 17 July to 27 August. The strategy comes on the heels of consultations with the Town Council.

The first operation launches on Monday, 17 July, with a key focus on pedestrian safety at the Coombe Street/High Street junction and select pavement alterations. To facilitate the work, Coombe Street will experience a 24/7 closure until Friday, 4 August, while traffic at the High Street junction will be managed with signals.

Upon completion of the first phase, High Street will undergo daily closures from 9:30am to 5pm, starting Monday, 7 August and lasting until Wednesday, 16 August. Following this, a full closure will be in effect from the evening of the 16th until 7am on Saturday, 19 August. This is to accommodate Wales and West Utilities as they connect a new gas main on High Street, thereby ensuring uninterrupted gas supply in the area. The utility company and the Council have coordinated these efforts to preclude further High Street closures.

The plan aims to limit disruption during peak hours and for local businesses by keeping the road open in the evenings. Nevertheless, the gas work necessitates a 24/7 closure to guarantee efficient and safe operations.

Subsequent to these improvements, Patwell Street, a segment of the B3081 in Bruton, will undergo resurfacing from Wednesday, 23 August, running until Sunday, 27 August. The road will be closed between 6pm and 11:30pm each evening but will remain open at all other times. An additional resurfacing project on Station Road is slated for October to minimise summer disruptions.

Crucial surface dressing tasks are also on the summer itinerary, starting with work on Park Wall and Dropping Lane on Friday, 21 July. Subject to weather and scheduling conditions, these roads may experience 24/7 closure until Monday, 3 August.

Surface dressing is planned for Brewham Road and a section of the A359 Frome Road on Thursday, 17 August. Each road will need to be closed for a single day before Sunday, 27 August for safety considerations.

Executing several schemes concurrently may lead to brief delays. However, in a joint effort with Bruton Town Council, Somerset Council is conducting these works during the summer holidays to lessen disruption and ensure the long-term functionality of local roads.

A spokesperson for Somerset Council shared, "These schemes will all be of immense benefit to Bruton and its network in the long-term future, and this is a significant investment in the network. We understand there is likely to be some disruption this summer to ensure that the work gets done efficiently, but this 'one hit' approach ensures that the roads in Bruton will be in a far better place come the autumn, and it avoids spreading the work out over a longer period or making repeat visits."

Throughout these operations, pedestrian access for residents and businesses in the affected areas will be maintained, and appropriate diversions will be clearly signposted. Further details on diversions are available on the Somerset Council's official website.

Pedestrian access for residents and businesses in the affected areas will be maintained throughout and diversions will be signed and in place. Diversion details are available on www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/roadworks-and-travel/.