AN ANGRY resident has handed parish councillors a petition protesting about the number of lorries being diverted through Williton.

Sue Debens, from North Road, has raised concerns about the increase in lorries using the road as part of the diversion route implemented by Somerset County Council to accommodate work on the Washford Cross roundabout.

The road originally had a weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes, implemented in 1991, but it has been removed temporarily to make the diversion route possible.

Mrs Debens started the petition together with a business owner in Williton and it has since gained around 90 signatures.

“On North Road there is a school (Danesfield), a hospital and a fire station and in Williton we have three care homes, a nursery and a primary school,” said Mrs Debens.

“Lorries meet other lorries and buses on the narrow road and they mount the pavement to get past each other. It’s just so unsafe.”

Temporary closure of the B3191 means traffic is being diverted through Williton to get to Watchet.

Traffic is also directed towards Williton due to roadworks in West Street, Dunster.

“Williton is taking the brunt of everything and it’s not big enough to cope with it,” said Mrs Debens.

Parish councillor Bill Vaughan said “unfortunately” there was not much the council could do.

He said: “There was a two-year consultation period for residents to raise concerns before everything had been implemented.

“There is no other way that the traffic can get to Watchet whilst the B3191 is closed and all we can do really is point them in the direction of EDF.

“There is already a 20 mph speed limit outside the school and temporary traffic lights but they might be able to do something more to slow the traffic down.”