WORKS to improve drainage on the B3224 in West Somerset started today (January 20).

To the west of Luckwell Bridge will be closed between 8am and 5pm for six weeks, with the aim of being completed by February 28.

The upgrade is to help protect the road surface, which has been repeatedly damaged.

Somerset County Council secured funding from central Government to replace the old pipes and to improve roadside gullies.

The road will be resurfaced between March 17-21 with more temporary road closures in place.

Diversions are in place with vehicles travelling from the west diverted through Winsford to the A396 at Coppleham Cross.

From there, small vehicles will be directed north to Wheddon Cross with large vehicles over 17.5 tonnes directed south to Machine Cross near Dulverton, and then left up Bury Hill to rejoin the B3224 at Heathpoult Ctross.

Cllr Harvey Siggs, Somerset Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for Highways said: “We appreciate that this work will be disruptive at times, but we hope that the final result in terms of improved road quality and better drainage will be worth it.

“In the meantime we would like to thank residents and visitors to Exmoor for their patience and support.”