ILMINSTER'S Station Road will be closed for five weeks while "essential drainage works" are taking place.

Somerset County Council have said the works are being undertaken "to help protect properties in Ilminster from the risk of future flooding."

The B3168 Station Road will be closed from Monday, February 22, while existing pipework is upgraded and additional gullies installed.

Cllr David Fothergill, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for Highways, said: “It’s important we continue to invest in upgrading our roads and this essential drainage improvement work should help reduce the risk of flooding.

“Unfortunately, there will be an impact on the local community and I apologise for any inconvenience caused. We’ll be working as quickly as possible to keep any disruption to a minimum.”

Somerset County Council have said a diversion suitable for HGVs will be signposted during the Station Road closures.

The scheme will be carried out in two phases to minimise disruption as much as possible, with each phase expected to take between two and three weeks.

Phase 1: The B3168 Station Road will be closed between Home Farm Way and the site of the old Horlicks Factory. Access to and from the Westcombe Trading Estate during this period will be available from the Stonemasons roundabout direction at all times.

Phase 2: The B3168 Station Road will be closed between Home Farm Way and the Hazelwell Lodge. Access to and from the Westcombe Trading Estate during this period will be available from the Southfields roundabout direction at all times.