13/08/2026
Major Works A39 Williton - Watchet
A39 between Washford and Williton. These have the potential to cause disruption to residents, businesses, visitors and road users in the local and wider area.
Somerset Highways will be carrying out essential drainage improvement works and carriageway resurfacing along this section of the A39 during the autumn. The works are currently due to start at the end of September, with completion planned before November.
This section of highway has historically been affected by severe flooding, which presents a risk to public safety and can result in the road needing to be closed at short notice during periods of heavy rainfall. The planned works will include two drainage improvement schemes, which are intended to significantly reduce the risk of future flooding at this location. Once the drainage works have been completed the carriageway will be resurfaced.
The extent of the works is attached and is also available to view on our Public Information Portal.
We recognise that the A39 is a key route into West Somerset and that any works in this location have the potential to affect local communities, businesses, deliveries, public transport and visitors. However, due to the nature of the drainage works and the level of excavation required, it will not be possible to carry out the scheme solely during night-time hours. Some daytime traffic management will be unavoidable.
The works will be delivered using a combination of temporary traffic signals and road closures. During the day, two-way temporary traffic signals will be in place. These will be manually controlled by trained operatives at all times to help manage traffic flow and minimise delays as much as possible. To reduce the length of time that traffic is held at a red signal, the works area will be kept as short as possible.
Some phases of the works will require a road closure. Closures will only be used when necessary and will be restricted to evening or overnight periods. There are currently no plans to close the road during the day. We also aim to fully reopen the road to two-way traffic at weekends. When the road is closed a signed diversion route will be in place as attached. Wherever possible diversion routes should use roads of the same or higher classification than the road being closed. In this location, that would result in a very long diversion which is unlikely to be followed by many road users. The proposed diversion is therefore considered to be the only practical route available.
While the diversion is in place multi-way temporary traffic signals will be installed at the junction of Five Bells and Washford Hill to assist vehicles making the turn. Additional advance warning signs will also be placed on the wider road network to help inform road users before they reach the works. This includes signing on approaches from as far back as Taunton and Bridgwater.
Currently it is anticipated that the first two weeks will require two-way temporary traffic signals to be in place 24 hours a day. Following this the traffic management is expected to change to overnight road closures, with temporary traffic signals in place during the day. We will update should there be any changes.
Key stakeholders are being contacted in advance to help reduce disruption wherever possible. We are also engaging with emergency services, public transport operators and school bus providers. We are aware that there will also be ongoing gas works by Wales & West Utilities in Watchet during this period. As the A39 closure will only be in place overnight, these works are expected to have minimal impact on each other.
Please be aware that once works have started there is always the potential for unforeseen issues to affect the programme. These can include poor weather, engineering difficulties, or unplanned emergency works elsewhere on the highway network. We will provide updates if there are any significant changes to the planned arrangements.
We appreciate that these works may cause inconvenience, and we would like to thank residents, businesses and road users in advance for their patience and understanding while these essential improvements are carried out.
For more information please contact your local area Highways Team on [email protected] or [email protected].
