A CHARD road will be closed from next week until the end of May as the next phase of drainage and gas mains upgrades gets underway.

Wessex Water is spending more than £1.3 million to help alleviate sewer flooding in the town, while Wales & West Utilities is investing £415,000 to replace the ageing pipes to upgrade the gas network in the area.

The work, which started in January, is due to end in October – and the next phase of the works will start tomorrow (February 13).

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The first phase saw construction teams on Victoria Avenue, which finished today (February 12).

The next stage will see Furnham Road close to through traffic from the junction with Victoria Avenue to the junction with Glynswood for the sewer and gas pipe upgrades to continue, from tomorrow (February 13) until Friday, May 30.

A diversion is in place via Victoria Avenue, A30 (East Street) and A358 Furnham Road. Further information can be found on the map pictured below, including details on the remaining phases of work.

The schedule of works Picture: Somerset Council

There will also be temporary traffic signals on the A358. One signal head will be on the junction with Victoria Avenue and the A358 Furnham Road, and the other traffic signal head will be on the junction with Coker Way and the A358 Furnham Road.

The A358 Furnham Road will remain closed throughout from the junction with Victoria Avenue to Glynswood.

Wales and West require traffic signals on the A358 Furnham Road and the junction with Mount Hindrance Lane to allow for the pushing of the gas main into Victoria Road junction.

Access will be maintained for residents, but it may be delayed at times. Speak to on-site teams with regard to any specific access requirements.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and waste services said: “It is really positive to see good progress on these vital works – we understand this is challenging at times for residents and road users and we are grateful for everyone’s support.

“Sharing road space and getting both important schemes done at the same time during 2025 is minimising disruption for road users and resident and we are working collaboratively and monitoring the traffic management measures to ensure any issues are dealt with quickly as possible.”

Wessex Water project manager Mike Horton said: “Our investment to tackle issues with sewer flooding during heavy rain in Chard is progressing and we’ll be moving on to complete the Furnham Road phase of the project next.

“We’d like to thank customers and businesses for their patience while we complete our work alongside Wales & West’s project to help minimise longer-term inconvenience for the local community.

Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller, Roxanne Whittaker said: “We’re pleased to be working collaboratively to complete this essential work as quickly and as safely as possible.

“While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a vital role in the daily lives of people across Chard, and we understand how important it is for your gas supply to be safe and reliable.

“We’re making great progress to complete our work on time and we would like to thank the local community for their patience.”

Anyone with questions about Wessex Water’s work is asked to call 0345 600 4600 or visit wessexwater.co.uk/contact-us.

Businesses or other non-household property will need to contact their water retailer with any enquiries.

Contact details can be found on the most recent water bill.

For questions about the Wales & West Utilities work, call 0800 912 29 99, email enquiries@wwutilities.co.uk or contact them on X (formerly Twitter) @wwutilities, or Facebook.com/wwutilities.