It is hoped the work will be finished by next March
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Motorists travelling on the A303 through Somerset will be restricted to 30mph as the next phase of a major dualling scheme begins.
National Highways is currently upgrading the A303 between the Podimore and Sparkford roundabouts, delivering three miles of dual carriageway on one on the busiest sections of the arterial road. As part of the next stage of construction – which is due to finish in March 2024 – motorists will need to be switched from one carriageway to another, and in some instances use the newest sections of the route.
This is to allow connections to the new A303 to be completed – something which requires lower speed limits to be imposed on motorists. There will be six phased "crossovers" in this phase, with the first phase beginning on Tuesday, May 9 and being in affect between the Podimore roundabout and the junction with the B3151 to Yeovilton.
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A new 30mph speed limit will be in effect from May 30, with the dates of five further "crossovers" or traffic switches to be announced in due course. Project manager Hannah Sanderson said: "To complete this work safely, we need to introduce some traffic management onto the road and 30mph limits will be required in sections where traffic is crossing over from one side to the other.
"This is being done for the safety of road users and for the safety of our construction team who'll be working closely to the road. Our primary goal is to keep all traffic moving, while maintaining the safety of all those using or working alongside the road.
"We'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding. We have analysed traffic flows carefully to check there is no significant risk of disruption and will be keeping everyone fully informed via signing and the media.
"We would ask that drivers plan their journeys and follow signing carefully to avoid being delayed more than necessary and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during these essential works." On an average day, the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester carries 23,500 vehicles – but numbers increase significantly in the summer, particularly at weekends.
For more information on the dualling scheme, visit www.nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-west/a303-sparkford-to-ilchester.
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