TEMPORARY traffic lights are being installed at a major Shepton Mallet junction during roadworks.

Lights at the Charlton Road crossroads are being replaced, with work set to get underway on Monday, January 22, lasting until the summer.

Somerset Council said the traffic lights, at the junction of the A37 and the A361, have “some to the end of their working life and need replacing”.

Before the work gets udnerway, the council’s signals recovery team is holding a public drop-in to give residents and drivers information about the scheme, running from 4pm until 6pm this evening (January 15) at the Council Chamber, in the Shape Mendip building, Shepton Mallet.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, lead member for transport and digital, said: “This work has to be carried out, doing nothing isn’t an option.

“Sooner or later these signals will fail and that is going to cause delays and major disruption for residents and road users.

“We appreciate there is likely to be some impact on traffic, but our team will be doing everything they can to minimise this and will be using specialised smart technology to monitor and control traffic build-up.

“This has proven to be highly effective in minimising delays at other sites.

“I would encourage anyone who can to try to get to the public drop in this coming Monday in Shepton Mallet if they have any queries or concerns they wish to discuss with the team.”

The scheme is part of Somerset Council’s ongoing county-wide signals recovery programme, he said.

The existing signals have been in service for up to 40 years, and are now in a state of disrepair. Parts are no longer available so the units need to be replaced entirely.

The council says the new signals will be more efficient, eco-friendly and should improve traffic flow, as well as providing much safer access for pedestrians and cyclists.

“The team will also be taking the opportunity to resurface significant stretches of the road in the works area at the conclusion of the programme,” a spokesperson added.

Anyone who can’t make the drop-in and has questions should email majorschemes@somerset.gov.uk.