Major Resurfacing on A303 Between Wincanton & Mere

On Wednesday 10th September the Highways Agency started work to resurface a major section of the busy A303 London to Plymouth road. The work relates to sections of the dual carriageway (east and west) between Mere and Wincanton.

You may remember the last major road works involving the Wincanton access bridge to/from A303 (westbound) and the Castle Cary railway bridge which damaged the local economy in Cary, Bruton and Wincanton owing to diversions. Fortunately for this current resurfacing project, the Highways website details a programme that looks like it will actually minimise hassle to the local community.

Any traffic related issues that arise will happen through the night when most are fast asleep. Work started on Wednesday 10th September and is scheduled to finish on Tuesday 21st October. The work is required because of natural wear and tear, probably made much worse due to the severe weather experienced over the last few years.

The work will be carried out in two phases.

Phase 1 will see resurfacing of the Eastbound carriageway between the main Wincanton junction and the B3081 Gillingham junction (Tinker’s Hill) just beyond Hunter’s Lodge.

An overnight diversion will apply, taking traffic off the A303 at the main Wincanton junction and via the B3081 through Wincanton, Bayford and Leigh Common, re-joining the A303 at the Gillingham junction of the A303 and the B3081.

Phase 2 covers resurfacing of the Westbound carriageway for approximately 7.5 miles, between the A303/B3092 Mere junction in the east and the main A303/A371 Wincanton junction in the west.

Because of the greater scale of the work on the westbound carriageway three separate diversions will come into play, but, unless local circumstances dictate otherwise, they will apply at separate times as the work progresses.

Diversion 1 (Westbound) – This will be between the Gillingham junction of the A303/B3081, via Leigh Common and Bayford, re-joining the A303 at the main Wincanton junction.

Diversion 2 (Westbound) – This will start at the Mere junction of the A303/B3092 via the villages of Zeals and Bourton, re-joining the A303 at the Gillingham junction of the B3081/A303.

Diversion 3 (Westbound) – starts at the Wincanton junction of the A303/A371, by-passing Wincanton towards Castle Cary at the junction of the A359 just after Hadspen House, heading south to, re-join the A303 at the main Sparkford junction.

As the work proceeds Highways Agency will operate a total overnight (8pm - 6am) closure of the affected section routing traffic as above. During the day, lane closures will apply, but allowing the main A303 traffic to flow. Depending on traffic levels this could lead to congestion at peak times.

Although nobody is expecting any serious problems, it may be that some traffic may try to use the diversion routes to avoid congestion, so residents of Wincanton, Bayford, Bourton and Zeals may well experience higher than normal traffic during the road works period.

Highways Agency confirmed today that the new surface being laid is designed to reducing the noise level of passing traffic. So, if you live in the area and have experienced heavy noise from the A303, please let us know if you think the traffic noise is reduced when the road works have been completed.

Comments

Terry
Posts: 1

Resurfacing A303
Reply #1 on : Thu September 18, 2014, 08:35:46

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I'm really pleased to read that, "the new surface being laid is designed to reducing the noise level of passing traffic." For once the powers-that-be are showing consideration for local residents! I have noticed that noise pollution from the A303 has increased considerably over the past 30 years (more traffic, travelling faster) and now often reaches intolerable levels that negatively impact quality of life in the surrounding area. (The level of noise and extent of area affected is highly weather dependent, being worse when it is cold and wet.) The next step should be to construct physical noise barriers along the length of the A303 with, where space allows, the planting of trees adjacent to the barriers. It is long overdue that those living in the vicinity of the A303 (and other major roads) were given as much consideration as is given to users of the A303.

johnsmith
Posts: 1

Resurfacing
Reply #2 on : Thu September 18, 2014, 10:05:23

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I would advise caution on this one. Noise reduction can be a moveable term, and it rolls effortlessly off the lips. Let's wait and see what "noise reduction" actually means. The A303 gets busier year by year. How long before this new quieter (we hope) surface starts to wear and the noise returns? Drive on any stretch of road and note the different road surfaces and the sound levels.

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