The video above and the post below is one of many examples of the work you’ll find on my Facebook page, providing on-the-spot, up-to-date information. In many cases, this information simply isn’t made available from ‘official sources’ or is at best rather vague, and is more or less unavailable at bank holidays, weekends and in the evenings.
As your elected Somerset Councillor, I believe it is my job to ensure that, whenever possible, you receive accurate and timely updates, especially during frustrating situations such as road closures, utility works, and similar disruptions. Access to real-time information is also vital during periods of severe weather, public health emergencies and major incidents involving our 999 services.
This is something I have done for nearly 10 years, and I would very much like to continue supporting and representing local residents for a further four years.
With this in mind, I will be standing for re-election to Somerset Council in the Bishop’s Hull and Oake division on 6 May 2027.
To keep updated with what’s happening please do ‘Follow’ my Facebook Page.
Here’s an example of my Facebook Postings from 1st May 2026 >>>
ROAD CLOSED FRIDAY 1st MAY
A38 Stonegallows – Orchard Grove roundabout.
UPDATE 30/4 –
I’ve just had a call from Kiely Bros informing me that the road is now expected to be closed at approximately 10:30 NOT midday as was previously anticipated.
Original post –
Yet again we have a closure, this time to finish the work started last Saturday.
There are signs saying the closure is 09:30 – 15:00, however, I’m informed by Kiely Bros that the work is unlikely to start before midday and will take approximately one hour to complete. They must also finish before 15:30.
In layman’s terms (much easier for me to understand) they completely the undercoat last Saturday and will be apply the top coat this Friday.
For those of you who like more information on the process, I’ve attached a couple of images in the comments section below.
This morning I spoke with the several people from both Somerset Council and Kiely Bros, followed up with an email (see below) sent to the Highways Service Manager at Somerset Council >>>
“Good morning,
I have just spoken with Kiely Bros regarding the Stonegallows (A38) works (reference LG018SD001283-KL). Unfortunately, they have confirmed that the works will take place this Friday, 1 May.
The variable message signs have been updated to state that the A38 will be closed between 09:30 and 15:30. I asked for a more realistic timeframe and was advised that works are unlikely to commence before midday and should be completed within approximately one hour. Kiely’s representative also confirmed that all works must be completed by 15:30 to avoid rush hour. He provided several reasons why the works cannot take place on any day other than Friday (including work gang relocation and the bank holiday) and advised that this decision is non-negotiable. He also committed to contacting me if these timings change, which will be invaluable on the day.
During last Saturday’s works, it was, without exaggeration, utter carnage. Could Somerset Council please consider a solution to significantly reduce the number of vehicles using surrounding back roads during the works? I appreciate that some drivers will use them regardless, but any measures to reduce traffic volume would be extremely helpful.
Roads such as Ritherddens Farm Lane, Lower Stoford Lane, Hele Road, Bradford Road, Back Lane, Netherclay, Bishop’s Hull Hill, and Upcott Road are very narrow in places and simply cannot cope with A38-level traffic, especially on a busy bank holiday Friday.
A wide geographical area, including the villages of Bishop’s Hull, Oake, and Bradford-on-Tone, was at a virtual standstill for two hours last Saturday and, as outlined above, will again be extremely difficult to access during this Friday’s works. Please also bear in mind that significant delays are already being caused by ongoing works at the northern Silk Mills roundabout.
On One.Network, no diversion route is shown, although I am told it is via the M5. However, the M5 is currently showing red on the map due to an evening closure, which is likely to deter drivers from using that route.
Buses: On Saturday (around 09:30), several people were waiting at bus stops on the A38 (No. 22, etc.) who had no idea that the road was supposed to be closed. I showed them a ‘live’ map indicating that their bus was on the M5 diversion route; as you can imagine, they were not amused.
At approximately 11:30, I noticed a No. 22 bus stopping outside the Crematorium. I spoke to the driver, who had been informed that the A38 was now open and that the works had been completed. This was clearly not the case. The work actually started at lunchtime and finished just after 14:00. I was then informed that they would not be returning and that this was the finished article, which, again, was clearly incorrect.
Joined-up communication has been very poor. Had I not contacted Kiely Bros last Friday and Saturday, no one would have been aware of the all-important road closure times, which also did not align with the ever-changing and misleading digital boards.”
Enjoy your week everyone and I’ll add updates if and when they become available.
John
#BishopsHull#Rumwell#RumwellPark#roughmoor#Longaller#Netherclay#Barr#upcott#Stonegallows
