As part of our commitment to improve the quality of roads and pavements, Bath & North East Somerset Council will be carrying out major road works along the A37 in Whitchurch and Pensford starting on Tuesday, March 23, 2004.

 

Due to narrow road widths, all works in Whitchurch and a large amount of work in Pensford will be carried out under a full temporary closure of the A37 with long diversions in place for through traffic via the A4174, A4, A39, and A368; and vice versa.

 

The road closures will enable the road works to be carried out safely and quickly, thereby ensuring the works duration is minimised. Bus service information will be displayed on all affected bus stops along the A37 at least 5 days before the road works start.

 

The road works at both sites involve road reconstruction and resurfacing, new road markings, adjustments to ironwork, drainage improvements, kerb renewal and footway surfacing. The works at Whitchurch also involve installation of service ducting and renewal of a small amount of Utility apparatus. Both stretches of the carriageway will be resurfaced with a modern surfacing system that greatly reduces traffic noise.

 

Residential and business properties situated along the length and south of the road works will be sent a letter by the Council during week commencing February 9, 2004 which provide details of the forthcoming road works.

 

During the works, pedestrian movement and access will be maintained at all times, and wherever possible there will be vehicular access maintained to properties situated alongside work areas.

 

Bath & North East Somerset Council has co-ordinated these essential road works with neighbouring local councils to ensure that no road works or traffic diversion conflicts occur.

 

Drivers are advised to allow additional time for journeys due to increased traffic around the diversion routes.   Drivers are also asked to stagger journey times if possible.

 

Information boards giving the start date and expected duration of the road works will be displayed on site 2 weeks before the road works commence.

  

Whitchurch works

 

The road works through Whitchurch will start first and will take place between Staunton Lane (including its junction) and the dis-mantled railway over-bridge situated north of Queen Charlton Lane junction.

 

Work is due to start on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 and will last for approximately 10 consecutive days. Contractors will work in 20-hour shifts daily between 9am and 5am.

 

For the duration of the A37 temporary road closure at Whitchurch, Sleep Lane in Whitchurch will also be temporarily closed to through traffic to provide an essential by-pass route for emergency services.

 

 Pensford works

 

The road works through Pensford will take place between the Traveller’s Rest public house and the High Street junction in Pensford.

 

The works in Pensford will start on or soon after Monday, March 29, 2004 and will last for approximately 5 to 6 consecutive days.  Contractors will work in 14-hour shifts daily between the hours of 9am and 11pm.

 

The first 3 or 4 days of the works in Pensford will be carried out under temporary traffic control taking advantage of the reduced traffic flows during the temporary closure of the A37 in Whitchurch. This will then be followed by a temporary closure of the A37 through Pensford for 2 consecutive days immediately following the removal of the A37 temporary closure at Whitchurch. The traffic diversions will generally be the same as those for the A37 temporary road closure at Whitchurch.

 

For comment please contact:

Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins, Executive Member for Transport and Highways. Tel (01225) 314834 Mob 07980 998589.

 

For more information please contact: -

David Anderson, Bath & North East Somerset Council Engineering Partnership Manager. Tel: (01225) 395239.