DRIVERS travelling from Chard and Ilminster towards Taunton will “inevitably face delays” when maintenance work starts on the A358.

Most of the construction at Henlade and Thornfalcon will take place at night to minimise disruption when it starts on Monday, October 13, but there will be some daytime lane closures.

The rebuilding and resurfacing are being carried out before winter as the A358 is a strategic flood diversion route.

Cllr Harvey Siggs, county council cabinet member for highways, said: “We’ve planned the work carefully to minimise disruption, but the A358 is the busiest non-trunk road in the county, so any roadworks are inevitably going to have an impact on travel times.

“I’m pleased to say the road will be overlaid with an innovative new surface to extend its life and reduce the need for future maintenance.

“Meanwhile, please bear with us and remember the long-term benefits during periods of short-term inconvenience.”

The work will be in four phases: l Phases 1a and 1b – night-time closure with traffic lights and convoy working between Henlade post office and Thorn Lane. Roadworks will not take place on October 18 to avoid disruption to Taunton Carnival.

l Phases 2 and 3 – 24-hour lane closure from Tarmac works to the A378 Thornfalcon junction, travelling outbound from Taunton.

There will also be short-term closures for roads adjoining the A358 at various times which will be signposted.