A SECTION of a busy road between Taunton and Minehead will be closed for six hours a day over a fortnight next month.

Somerset County Council’s highways team will be resurfacing a stretch of the A358 near Combe Florey, between Williton Road and Coggins Lane, as the carriageway is in need of urgent repair.

The temporary road closure is needed to ensure the safety of road users and the workforce alike.

It will be in place from 9.30am to 3.30pm, week days only, between Monday, June 14, and Friday, June 25.

The road will be open to traffic outside of these hours and during the weekend.

“We’ve carried out a significant number of works during lockdown, including major repairs to the roadside embankment and improvements to the highway drainage system on the stretch of A358 near to this location,” said Cllr John Woodman, the council's cabinet member for highways and transport.

He added: “Resurfacing works have still had to be prioritised in order of urgency and it’s inevitable this work will need to continue as we move out of lockdown – fortunately this particular work will have been completed before the summer holidays.

“We are aware there will be an impact for businesses and residents, so every effort will be made to keep the duration of the works to a minimum.”

The highways team has been working closely with local businesses to take account of feedback on appropriate temporary signage and the delivery of the scheme.

"The team will work to ensure access to households and businesses for essential deliveries, is as convenient as possible during the works."

During the road closure a suggested diversion route will be clearly signposted on site.

READ MORE: The work had been due to take place in April.