Drivers face a fuel-hungry 52-mile journey so the council can repair just 546 meters of road
- Somerset County Council says work on 546m of A39 ‘essential’
- Motorists will take a new 52-mile detour while the work is complete
Frustrated motorists will be forced to take a monstrous, mysterious and magical, fuel-guzzling 52-mile tour of the Exmoor wilderness – so that a 546-yard (500-metre) stretch of road can be repaired.
Drivers will have to hope their GPS finds a way through the maze of narrow, winding lanes as they traverse two counties to reach their destination.
Somerset County Council will carry out repairs to the A39 Selworthy road between Minehead and Porlock in two phases in March.
Traffic will be diverted around the south side of Dunkery Beacon and over the border into Devon.
During the road closures, traffic wishing to reach Porlock from the east will be diverted to Minehead along the A39, take the A396 via Dunster and take the B3224 at Wheddon Cross.
Drivers will have to use a 52-mile diversion through the countryside
Traffic will be rooted in the Exmoor wilderness as you take in views of Dunkery Beacon
From here they will head west along the B3223 and B3358 via Simonsbath, joining the A39 at Blackmoor Gate on the Devon side of Exmoor National Park and head east via Lynton and Lynmouth – a diversion which could add up to 52 miles to their trip.
The council said: “The works have been timed to minimize disruption and are essential to ensure the drains and gullies are working properly.
“The highways team will undertake preparatory work on March 6 and 10, with the road closed between 9.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day and temporary traffic lights in effect outside these times.
“All heavy goods vehicles over 17 tonnes and/or over 9.5 m in length needing to use this section of road will be held in waiting areas, access being authorized between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. every day. Emergency vehicles will be able to circulate freely on the site.
“Between March 13 and 16, the road will be closed between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. to allow overnight resurfacing work – the A39 being reopened to daytime traffic during this latter period.
Councilor Mike Rigby, holder of the transport and digital portfolio, said: “We have delayed this work to find a more suitable time so that the closures have a reduced impact on road users.
“The work is essential – we are improving drainage and carrying out repairs. However, we understand that there will always be disruption, so undertaking this work outside peak hours is likely to limit this.
“Our team will do everything they can to minimize this. Our team will be in contact with residents and businesses in the immediate area to ensure they have all the information they need. Please check the detour details and plan ahead if you regularly use this route.
