ROAD users could face delays at the weekend, when the A303 at Newcott will be closed for the Highways Agency to carry out essential drainage repairs.

The work, which will ensure this section of the A303 remains safe and reliable for road users, will require a full closure on a 40-metre section of the road by the village petrol filling station from midnight on Friday, February 7 to 6am on Monday, February 10.

Highways Agency project sponsor, Alexander Knapp, said: “This essential work involves a series of drain repairs including renewal of five existing drainage sections as well as work on the embankment.

“The work is being carried out over the weekend in order to minimise the disruption to drivers.

“We are grateful for road users understanding while we carry out these repairs and advise them to allow slightly more time to complete their journeys.”

There will be a signed diversion route in place for through traffic. Westbound traffic will be diverted from the A303 at the Ilminster roundabout to travel south along the A358, then on to the A30 before rejoining the A303 at Devonshire Inn Farm. Eastbound traffic will follow this route in reverse.

For local traffic, the drainage works run adjacent to the filling station in Newcott, therefore westbound vehicles will have no access to the filling station during the closure.

Local traffic travelling eastbound will still have access to the filling station but not be able to travel on the A303 beyond this point.