Early finish for Wiltshire-Somerset A303 roadworks

Diversions remain in place until the work is completed

Maintenance work on the busy A303 on the Wiltshire-Somerset border is due to be finished nine days ahead of plan.

The Highways Agency said extra time factored into the schedule was not needed as the weather had been good.

"We've had 65 contractors working flat out and hope to open the road by Friday evening," a spokesman said.

During the four-week closure, the road surface was repaired, new drainage was installed, a safety barrier erected and 60 new road signs installed.

Diversions remain in place until the work is completed.

'Confusing'

Drivers going westbound should follow the A350 to Shaftesbury then join the A303 near Wincanton.

Drivers heading eastbound will face a 12-mile diversion on the A37 through Shepton Mallet and Frome.

The works start east of Mere and finish at the junction with the B3089.

Some motorists have described the diversions as "confusing", and said they have had difficulty following the road signs put in place.

In response, the Highways Agency said the diversions had been chosen because they can take the volume of traffic and larger vehicles which would have struggled on the smaller B roads off the trunk road.

The spokesman added additional signs would be put in place this week.

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