Flood works completed along A359 at Marston Magna
Works to reduce flooding on the A359 through Marston Magna were carried out in five days between Monday 24 October and Friday 28 October, seven days quicker than had been allowed for.
A range of repairs and improvements were made by Somerset County Council’s Highways department, to benefit local residents and road-users travelling between Yeovil and the A303.
The scheme followed on from extensive research done for Somerset Rivers Authority into the Mill Stream catchment, which includes Rimpton and Marston Magna.
Works included:
- repairs to the highway drainage system which helps remove surface water
- repairs to a section of retaining wall, adjacent to a nearby watercourse, which provides protection from high water levels
- de-silting of a section of watercourse to improve flow and capacity
To ensure road users’ safety, a dislodged road-edge stone was also repaired.
A359 closed in Marston Magna
To enable works to be carried out, the A359 through Marston Magna was closed to all traffic for 24 hours a day from Monday 24 October to Friday 28 October.
The following quotes were published before the scheme started, as part of efforts to alert road users.
Councillor Mike Stanton, Chair of Somerset Rivers Authority, said: “People living in Marston Magna, and many thousands of drivers going through the village, have long been exasperated by the A359 flooding near the church.
“Research funded by the SRA has helped the county council’s highways department get a much more detailed understanding of flooding problems along that stretch of road. I’m very pleased to see that action’s now being taken to reduce flood risks and make people’s lives safer and easier.”
Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said: “The A359 needs this work undertaking as part of our statutory duty to keep our roads safe and well-maintained, and the short-term closure is required to carry out the work safely.
“Our team will do their utmost to ensure disruption is minimised. Please ensure you plan ahead and follow the diversion route.”