HIGHWAYS bosses have promised to keep disruption to a minimum after roadworks started yesterday (Monday, October 13) on one of the busiest roads in Somerset.

Most of the seven-week maintenance project to repair and improve the A358 between Henlade and Thornfalcon will take place at night, although there will be some daytime lane closures to speed up the scheme.

But there will be a break in the work on Saturday to avoid Taunton Carnival, when thousands of people will descend on the county town.

The A358, the county’s busiest non-trunk road, will be overlaid with a new type of surface to extend its life and reduce the need for future maintenance.

The scheme is being carried out in four phases.

Phases 1a and 1b – night-time closure with traffic lights and convoy working between Henlade post office and Thorn Lane.

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 in this area at various times, which will be signed on site in advance.