PREPARATORY work for a roundabout at Washford Cross has begun after being delayed for over two weeks.

The roundabout will be built at the junction of the A39 and B3190, and is being funded by EDF Energy as part of its Hinkley Point C nuclear power project.

While traffic on the A39 is expected to be able to continue, the B3190 into Watchet will be closed.

A diversion route through Williton has been proposed, but a number of changes to the road need to be made before it can be implemented.

The junction of Long Street and North Street in Williton will see the temporary removal of a pedestrian refuge to make way for lorries likely to use the diversion route, transporting goods to Watchet Paper Mill, as well as to the Coop and CRS Building Supplies.

A spokesman for EDF Energy told the County Gazette: “The works are now underway, but there was a small delay to paperwork.

“We were waiting for the signature of someone who was away, so it was a slight technical problem.

“It’s the preparatory work for the diversion route that they’re focussed on before Christmas, which is in Williton and on North Road from Williton to Watchet.

“The work on the roundabout will have to follow the prep work on the diversion route, so is due to start in the New Year.”

Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, said: “Unless we have serious weather issues, I don’t think that it will have an effect on the overall length time that the works will be going on.

“It will still be completed in the nine months allocated to the works.”