THERE was added misery for Bridgwater motorists this morning (Monday) as Wessex Water closed a section of Durleigh Road to begin work to install a new public sewer for a nearby housing development.

Motorists are being told to take a 40 minute diversion route from the beginning of February as roadworks threaten to close Durleigh Road for one month with two way traffic lights to be put in place once half the road is re-opened on February 27 with work expected to finish on March 13.

Drivers hoping to enter Bridgwater using Durleigh Road will be told to use a 16 mile diversion route that takes them through Spaxton and towards Nether Stowey before joining the A39 and heading back towards town through Cannington and Wembdon.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “The essential work that we are obliged to do involves connecting more than a hundred new properties to the sewerage network.

“Unfortunately, due to two gas mains having to be diverted, it is impossible to carry out our work without closing Durleigh Road.

“However, we have carefully designed the route of the sewer to avoid the highway where we can, which means the road will be closed for no more than four weeks.

“We posted around 1,400 letters to local residents to make them aware of the work and apologised in advance for any inconvenience caused.

“We will complete the work as quickly as possible.”

The road was originally due to be fully closed until March 13 but pressure from Sedgemoor District Councillor Gill Slocombe saw that reduced to the earlier date at the end of February.

Cllr Slocombe argued that it was essential that the road remained partially open for at least part of the works.