VIDEO: Resurfacing Porlock Hill, the steepest A road in the country

A specialist vehicle has had to be imported from Germany with tracks to enable it to carry out the work on the 1:4 gradient road.

The notoriously steep road is the main route from Porlock out toward Lynton and Lynmouth and is closed for two weeks.

Road users who want to travel between the two face either a 70km, 1hr and 20 minute diversion or can take the narrow, windy and pothole-laden toll road nearby.

The road will be closed 24/7 until Friday, re-opening for the weekend before being closed again during the daytime the following week.

David Peake, highways service manager for Somerset County Council said: "This is not your everyday resurfacing job. We have undertaken the task during these two weeks in the hope that it will completed for the Easter holidays and minimise disruption.

"The total project will cost £150,000. We have had to bring in specialist vehicles with tracks like tanks so that they can grip the surface when carrying out the work," he said.

The road was last resurfaced ten years ago, but Mr Peake said due to the nature of the road it is susceptible to erosion from vehicles travelling up and down it, as well as weather from being close to the coast.

"Even undertaking work on potholes on this road is not a straightforward task," Mr Peake said.

The stone for the task comes from a quarry in South Wales while the materials for the surface are provided by Mendip-based company Wainwrights. The site work is being carried out by Skanska on behalf of Somerset County Council.

"We do appreciate it is difficult for businesses, but I would like to say thank you to all the businesses and residents affected for their patience and support," Mr Peake said.

"We know it is disruptive but we have a duty to keep the road in safe condition and the nature of the road makes this work difficult to carry out without causing disruption."