Two routes in and around Shepton Mallet, including the A371 through the town, are due to be surface dressed this summer.

Two routes in and around Shepton Mallet are due to be surface dressed this summer as part of Somerset Council's highways maintenance programme.

The council has published a county-wide list of roads scheduled for treatment over the coming months, with the A371 Commercial Road, Long Street, Pike Hill and Wells Road all included in Shepton Mallet.

Also on the list is the A37 Old Frome Road to Underhill route between Shepton Mallet and Gurney Slade.

Surface dressing is used to seal the road surface, improve skid resistance and stop water getting in. Somerset Council says it is a key part of preventing potholes from forming and extending the life of roads that are still in reasonable condition.

Most sites are expected to be completed within a day or even a few hours. Roads usually stay open while work is carried out, with traffic managed by stop-go boards, though some narrower sections may need short temporary closures.

The programme depends on warm weather, meaning timings could change at short notice if conditions are not suitable.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council's portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said: "Every summer we deliver this programme so that our network remains safe.

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"Surface dressing is critically important in keeping our highways running efficiently."

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