Somerset Council delays road closure following public concern

A road closure in Frome that was due to start this month has been delayed by Somerset Council after residents raised concerns that it would clash with the closure of another key route in the town. 

A stretch of The Mount (B3092) was scheduled to close on 15th October for 40 days.

However, this is a key diversion route for a closure already in place until the end of November on the A362, where a section of road under the railway bridge is shut to allow Network Rail to carry out emergency work to strengthen the bridge.

Residents called on MP Anna Sabine to urge Somerset Council to review the issue because of the impact on traffic in the town centre.

In an email to the MP, one resident who has two jobs said she was growing ‘increasingly concerned’ about the closures affecting her ability to get back to Frome in time for her shifts.

She said, “With this additional road closure looming, I am having to consider finding cover for certain shifts because I am losing income as a result.”

MP Anna Sabine said, “I’m so pleased to hear Somerset Council has worked with the developer to change the timings of the roadworks at The Mount to make sure that Frome isn’t gridlocked. Great work from council officers and well done to all the residents who’ve been raising it with me and with their local councillors.”

The planned closure on The Mount was to carry out street lighting and drainage improvements on behalf of housing developer David Wilson Homes.

Somerset Council confirmed works will be delayed, but no start date has yet been confirmed. A council spokesperson said, “Having reviewed the impact on the network and listened to people’s concerns, we have arranged with the developer to push back the Mount Road scheme to a later date to avoid a clash.”

Pictured: Anna Sabine near the Portway Overbridge