Green light for traffic signal refurbishment in Yeovil
Released On 25th Jan 2022
A multi-million pound programme to renew traffic signals at junctions and pedestrian crossings across Somerset reaches Yeovil in February.
Somerset County Council is investing £11.6m replacing traffic signals which have reached the end of their working life and must be replaced with safer, more eco-friendly units. The alternative is that the equipment fails, causing significant and lengthier disruption.
In Bridgewater, signals work on Westonzoyland Rd has recently finished, while work was completed in the autumn on several junctions in Taunton.
The Council's contractor Centregreat starts work in Yeovil during the week commencing 14 February and will cover three crossings and three key junctions.
The junction signal refurbishments on Lysander Road are:
- West Henford
- Forest Hill
The crossings are:
- Lyde Road - adjacent to Herblay Close
- Sherborne Road - adjacent to St Michael's Avenue
- Ilchester Road - opposite Yeovil College
As well as being more eco-friendly the signals should improve traffic flow and will provide safer, better access for cyclists and pedestrians.
Whilst work is ongoing temporary signals will be operating at the junctions and crossing. Existing pedestrian and cycling routes will be maintained throughout.
Councillor John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “We’re pleased that this major programme has now reached Yeovil, which demonstrates our commitment to investing in the future of the county’s road network and infrastructure.
“We know these are busy routes and this will cause disruption, which is why we are breaking the schedule into manageable sections, making sure we get underway at what is a quieter time of year, while many people are still working from home. “Our team is working closely with local businesses and the community to ensure they have all the information they need, and disruption is kept to a minimum. “It’s vital we get on with this work and replace the signals – doing nothing just isn’t an option.
“At the same time, we’re making life easier at these junctions and crossings for cyclists and pedestrians on their way to school or work every day.”
What’s happening?
The work schedule is an approximate guide and is dependent on variables such as weather, supply chains and the potential for emergency utility works. It runs as follows:
- Week commencing 14 February 2022 work begins at the Ilchester Rd pedestrian crossing.
- This will be followed by the Sherborne Road crossing, Lyde Rd crossing and Pine Tree Avenue signals. There’ll be further updates on our @travelsomerset social media channels and http://www.travelsomerset.co.uk on the order of schemes and works schedules as the team moves towards each phase.
- Work is expected to start on the West Hendford and Forest Hill Junctions Later in the year. Work moves to Wells, Shepton Mallet and Frome later in 2022 and early 2023.
For more information on the signals recovery programme visit Somerset Traffic Signal Refurbishment – Travel Somerset Follow @travelsomerset on Twitter and Facebook.
