Hauliers using the A303 look set for lengthy detours from February as the main truck route from the South-East to the South-West closes for 12 weeks.
Major roadworks on the A303 near Mere in Wiltshire are due to start on 9 February and run for approximately 12 weeks. During this time the A303 will be closed in both directions between Chaddenwick Hill and Willoughby Hedge.
While the work is being carried out, Westbound traffic will follow the A350 to Shaftesbury and then along the
B3081 to rejoin the A303 near Wincanton. Eastbound traffic will be diverted from the A303 at Podimore roundabout and follow the A37, A361 and A36 via Shepton Mallet and Frome before rejoining the A303 at Deptford.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is concerned about additional costs to operators caused by the lengthy detours and has written to Highways Agency (HA) chief executive Graham Dalton to complain.
"I doubt whether any haulier could recover a surcharge from the customer to cover detour costs," says RHA chief executive Roger King.
Given that the HA's contractor is only working day shifts on the roadworks, King adds: "I would have thought 24-hour working would be a given. In his pre-Budget statement, the Chancellor indicated accelerated investment in the roads
programme – perhaps this additional money could be used to accelerate the A303 work?"
The HA is holding three public information days to give road users the opportunity to find out more about the planned roadworks. The dates and locations of these are:
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