FOLLOWING traffic chaos in North Petherton caused by ongoing roadworks to build a cyclepath on the A38 the mayor of the town has spoken of the community’s frustration over the delays.

Cllr Alan Bradford said: “On behalf of the town council we appreciate that residents and businesses are rightfully angry and frustrated by the roadworks. I have met with Somerset County Council’s highways division to discuss ways to mitigate the disruption to the local community. I think the authorities sometimes forget that this is the A38 and not a country lane.”

He said the new industrial estates, houses and increased traffic in general made the road busy but the traffic lights had caused excessive delays.

Cllr Bradford continued: “When the M5 is blocked as it was last week, the motorway traffic is redirected through the town treating it like a rat run. Motorists then take all the backroads and lanes leading to gridlock with streets like Shovel Lane congested and properties damaged by vehicles.

“I have suggested to Highways they work 24 hours a day as was the practice with EDF when they carried out roadworks in Bridgwater which initially caused disruption. Perhaps one option is for the contractors to work longer hours.”

The mayor appealed for anyone with creative ideas to tackle the problem to contact him through the town clerk. He thanked everyone in the town for their patience during a difficult time especially as the work is set to continue until mid-October and was critical of the authorities for not consulting more with the town council.

The Lib Dem district councillor Bill Revans agreed. He said: “Why Somerset Highways have refused to meet with the town council over many years to discuss this is beyond me. I totally understand people’s frustration and I hope that they will work harder to minimise the inconvenience. But when all the work is finished, traffic should flow better and the road will be safer.”

Some residents have raised the issue of whether the roadworks to create a new cycle path were even needed. But Cllr Revans said that parents had complained the road to Blake School is too dangerous to walk or cycle.

Cllr Revans said: “With increasing congestion from all the developments and the proposed Hinkley C power station we need to reduce traffic on the roads. Making routes safer for people to cycle to work and school will also make things better in the long run.”

He said the district council had failed to work with Somerset County Council to improve the infrastructure such as the improvements to the Huntworth roundabout and the construction of the Colley Lane Link Road.

He said: “The roundabout changes will now only take place because of a huge public subsidy, rather than being paid for by the developers as originally envisaged.”

Cllr Bradford, who is also a Conservative district councillor, concluded: “I implore the authorities to listen to our concerns and do everything they can to bring the work to a speedy conclusion. I will meet with Highways again on September 11, for more talks.”