THE road has now reopened and traffic is running smoothly.

AVON and Somerset Police have issued a statement following the collision that has closed a section of the A303 this morning (Friday, November 17).

A force spokesperson said: "We were called at around midnight today (Friday 17 November) to the A303 near South Petherton following a report of a collision between two vehicles, one of which was parked.

"One man was taken to hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life changing.

"The road was closed while emergency services attended and vehicles were recovered."

National Highways said the incident is expected to clear between 1pm and 1.15pm.

A MAJOR road in Somerset is closed in both directions this morning (Friday, November 17) following a "serious collision involving a car and a lorry".

The A303 between the A358 at Ilminster and the A356 is expected to remain closed for most of the morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene before 2am and the incident is being led by Avon and Somerset Police, who are currently carrying out collision investigation works.

National Highways contractors are assisting with traffic management.

Traffic England says the incident is expected to clear between 11.45am and midday, with traffic conditions expected to return to normal soon afterwards.

Diversion routes are in place.

  • Eastbound traffic is being diverted via the solid circle diversion symbol:
  • Exit the A303 eastbound at the A358 junction at Horton Cross near Ilminster.
  • Join the A358 Cheshay's Hill Road southbound towards Chard.
  • At the junction with the A30 at Chard, join the A30 eastbound.
  • Continue on the A30 eastbound until Crewkerne.
  • Join the A356 northbound and then continue onward to re-join the A303.

Westbound traffic is being diverted via the hollow triangle diversion symbol:

  • Exit the A303 westbound at the A356 junction
  • Join the A356 Prophet's Lane southbound and continue until the junction with the A30 at Crewkerne
  • Join the A30 Chard Road westbound
  • Continue on the A30 westbound towards Chard, until the junction with the A358
  • Join the A358 Furnham Road northbound and continue onward to then re-join the A30 westbound at Horton Cross
  • If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.

A local diversion route is in place.

National Highways: South-West

@HighwaysSWEST

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Diversion Routes

Eastbound traffic is being diverted via the solid circle diversion symbol:

Exit the A303 eastbound at the A358 junction at Horton Cross near Ilminster

Join the A358 Cheshay's Hill Road southbound towards Chard

At the junction with the A30 at Chard, join the A30 eastbound

Continue on the A30 eastbound until Crewkerne

Join the A356 northbound and then continue onward to re-join the A303

Westbound traffic is being diverted via the hollow triangle diversion symbol:

Exit the A303 westbound at the A356 junction

Join the A356 Prophet's Lane southbound and continue until the junction with the A30 at Crewkerne

Join the A30 Chard Road westbound

Continue on the A30 westbound towards Chard, until the junction with the A358

Join the A358 Furnham Road northbound and continue onward to then re-join the A30 westbound at Horton Cross

If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.

Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional X feed.

Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000.

Location : The A303 westbound between the A356 and the junction with the A358

Reason : Road traffic collision

Status : Currently Active

Time To Clear : The event is expected to clear between 11:45 and 12:00 on 17 November 2023

Return To Normal : Normal traffic conditions are expected between 11:45 and 12:00 on 17 November 2023

Previous Reason : Following an earlier accident