PART of a key road in West Somerset will be temporarily closed overnight while vital improvements are carried out.

Somerset County Council is upgrading an 800m stretch of the A39 Williton to Bridgwater road near St Audries starting on Monday, September 19.

There's a long-running issue with cracking and subsidence.

The road has historically suffered from land slips and is in poor condition due to its location on a geological fault.

Before resurfacing the road, teams will build new kerbs and a series of new gullies to improve drainage.

They will also add a layer of geogrid to strengthen the road and minimise the risk of slippage, using a similar technique to that used successfully at the B3168 Beacon near Ilminster following a major landslip in 2014.

The works have been planned to minimise disruption as much as possible and will be split into three phases.

• Drainage works: September 19-20, overnight road closures from 7pm to 7am (9pm on Monday, September 19).

• Prep works: September 21 to October 14, temporary traffic lights.

• Geogrid construction and resurfacing: October 10-20, overnight closures from 7pm to 7am.

Cllr David Fothergill, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for Highways, said: “We’ve carried out various other improvements along the A39 in recent years and people might have thought we’d forgotten this stretch.

“In fact, it’s been at the forefront of our minds and we are investing in a comprehensive scheme which should provide a longer term improvement.

“Please beware of some disruption while work is underway, and don’t forget you can stay up to date with live traffic conditions and find out about current and future roadworks at www.travelsomerset.co.uk or by following @TravelSomerset on Twitter.”