Traders fear the worst over roadworks
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| Manager Carol Doble and Bill Fawdry of the Rose and Crown at Limpley Stoke |
BUSINESS and transport groups are bracing themselves for traffic chaos as a section of the A36 closes for 12 weeks on Monday.
The Highways Agency is carrying out slope and retaining wall stabilisation, carriageway reconstruction and footway resurfacing at Limpley Stoke and Monkton Combe.
Diversions will take traffic through Radstock in north east Somerset or through Chippenham and Westbury.
Members of Westbury Bypass Now, the campaign group arguing for a bypass for the town, are unhappy about the diversions as they send heavy goods vehicles through the centre of the town.
Dorien Jones said: "We have objected to the proposed diversions but it's had little effect.
"I am very, very upset by it. Having these 40-tonners going past won't be fun. I can only hope it enhances the case for a bypass."
Meanwhile the landlady of the Rose and Crown pub in Limpley Stoke believes the closure will lead to a dearth of customers.
Carol Doble, 55, said: "I would say 99 per cent of our trade comes off our road. If there are no cars there will be nobody coming in here. We are probably going to have to close the pub between 3-6pm and that's just for starters.
"I don't think the owners would have signed the lease back in November if they knew these roadworks were going on."
Highways Agency project manager Dave Frampton advised road users to make plans for their journeys and follow diversions.
He said: "The work is essential to secure the long term stability and safety of the A36, but will inevitably cause inconvenience to many people who live in the area and regularly use the road."
During the work access to Limpley Stoke and Monkton Combe through the A36 will be controlled by manned gatehouses with a permit system for residents and businesses.
Also, some minor roads will be closed near Limpley Stoke to control potential rat running.
Diversions
Light traffic
Northbound: Leave the A36 at Warminster to join the A362 then take the A367 to get to Bath or the A37 to get to Bristol
Southbound: From Bath take the A367 and join the A362 towards Warminster until the A36. From Bristol take the A37 until the A362 at Farrington Gurney and take the A36 at Warminster
Heavy Goods Vehicles
Northbound: Leave the A36 at Warminster and join the A350 north to Chippenham, then the A4 east until Bath
Southbound: Leave Bath on the A4 until Chippenham, then take the A350 until Warminster and join the A36
1:08pm Friday 28th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Didley Marsh, Dilton on 1:36pm Fri 28 Mar 08
It's a bit of a pain, but the work has to be done. I just hope it's completed sooner rather than later. Limpley Stoke is a nightmare on the commute to work, but when it's the school holidays it's remarkably quiet...
It's a bit of a pain, but the work has to be done. I just hope it's completed sooner rather than later. Limpley Stoke is a nightmare on the commute to work, but when it's the school holidays it's remarkably quiet...
Posted by: Walter McCabe, Freshford on 3:34pm Fri 28 Mar 08
I wonder about all of this, what with the price of petrol and diesel going through the roof, why bother. Cant they just make it strong enough for pony and cart. Strikes me its about time to go back to veggies, the allotment, a bit of poachin and the occasional train to Weymouth! Progress, what progress???
I wonder about all of this, what with the price of petrol and diesel going through the roof, why bother. Cant they just make it strong enough for pony and cart. Strikes me its about time to go back to veggies, the allotment, a bit of poachin and the occasional train to Weymouth! Progress, what progress???
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