A SUGGESTED diversion through Sedgemoor that would have taken unsuspecting motorists on a 47-mile trip just to travel a few hundred yards has been branded ‘laughable’.

The route was put in place by Somerset County Council last week to divert motorists away from roadworks being carried out on a 680-metre stretch of road in Highbridge.

Burnham town councillor Phil Harvey described the route as ‘laughable’ but a spokesman for the county council said it did not expect motorists to follow the route – but it had to create it to meet regulations.

The spokesman said: “It does seem ridiculous to divert 47 miles but we are legally required to divert on like-for-like roads – for example an A road for an A road or B road for a B road.

“Because of narrow roads and weak bridges, we can’t send lorries down rural roads. We expect those drivers with Sat Nav will be using the M5. Local people will probably find their own solutions.

“We’re putting up signs for local people to use the industrial estate as well as signs for heavy traffic to use the motorway. We don’t believe anyone will use the formal 47-mile round trip but legally we need to have this in place.”

The route diverts motor-ists through Pawlett, Glastonbury, Wells, Axbr-idge and East Brent in a trip falling just short of two hours.

The county council said the work, which was due to begin last night, would be carried out on weekday evenings for eight days excluding weekends, in an effort to avoid peak times.