A Shepton Mallet road is due to close for 26 days while gas mains replacement work is carried out. Kent will close from Monday, 7 September until Friday, 2 October, according to a Somerset Council temporary traffic notice.

The restriction will cover Kent from its junction with West Shepton for the road's full length, a distance of around 89 metres. Somerset Council says the closure will allow Wales & West Utilities to carry out mains replacement works.

The works are scheduled to continue throughout the 26-day period, with the traffic order listing restrictions between midnight and 11.59 pm. An alternative route will be in place while the road is closed.

The temporary order becomes effective from Wednesday, 2 September, five days before the work itself is expected to start. The legal order can remain in force for up to 18 months, although the council notice currently schedules the actual closure only between 7 September and 2 October.

The notice names Octavius Infrastructure Ltd as the contact for information about the work and states that the closure is required for the gas mains replacement scheme. Wales & West Utilities operates the gas distribution network serving the area.

Kent is therefore expected to remain closed for almost four weeks if the works proceed to the published timetable, reopening after Friday, 2 October.

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