BRIDGWATER MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has stepped in to try to speed up roadworks which are making local motorists and businesses see red.

This week saw Somerset County Council agree to remove temporary traffic lights from roadworks on the A38 at weekends to ease congestion after long tailbacks had built up over the weekend on the main road at North Petherton.

The authority responded to numerous complaints from motorists and has decided to remove the temporary traffic lights for the next two weekends to ease traffic flow. The council has also apologised to motorists for the jams.

Cllr David Fothergill said: “We have listened to concerns from commuters, residents and businesses and taken their feedback on board. Most importantly we have made changes with the aim of easing weekend congestion over the bank holiday weekend and through the summer period.

“The temporary lights will still be in operation Monday to Friday but will now be manually operated to aid traffic flow. The traffic management will be reviewed at the beginning of September.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused, but the scheme itself is long awaited by many and once complete, will be an integral part of an off-road cycle and walking route all the way from Old Road in North Petherton to Bridgwater town centre.”

Mr Liddell-Grainger, pictured above, told the Mercury: “We understand that work needs to be done but they are doing it at the worst possible time and why they can’t do it at night is beyond me. I will be in touch with the authorities to see if they can speed things up.”

David Parry of Dyers Green said the traffic had been terrible, causing huge inconvenience to residents and to local businesses.

The North Petherton resident was also critical of the amount of time the work was taking as August was particularly busy and the school holidays are due to end shortly when traffic would increase.

He said: “The other day I had a hospital appointment at Bridgwater Hospital and I got stuck in the traffic queue for more than half an hour and got nowhere. In the end I had to abandon my trip and go home as I had run out of time.”

The former parish councillor said the roadworks to create a cycle path were causing unnecessary disruption to people’s lives, bus timetables and residents who simply attendeding meetings or events. Mr Parry said Somerset County Council may apologise but it was too little, too late.

The livestock market has also been affected with long delays for lorries and vehicles getting in and out of the site at Somerset Livestock Centre.

Simon Jeffries, a livestock haulier, said it had taken him an hour to move out of the market last week and he said it was very hard on the animals.

He said: “It’s seems strange to do the roadworks at the busiest time of the year in August when there’s a lot of holiday traffic and lots going on. It would be better to do the work in February when it’s quieter.”

The mayor of North Petherton Cllr Alan Bradford said it was a problem for the community and he had already met with members of the town to see what could be done.

He said: “I’m a farmer and I’ve been caught in the traffic jams and so has everyone else. It is a big inconvenience to everyone and it won’t end until October 17.”