Major work to repair Exmoor landslide as B3224 set to be back in business

Work by Somerset Council to repair a collapsed embankment next to the B3224 in Exmoor is progressing well.

The latest images from Roundwaters between Exford and Wheddon Cross underline the scale of the task for the council’s contractor Walters. Work started early last month.

The damage was caused by bad weather just over two years ago leading to a landslip adjacent to the road edge. It meant a lane closure and temporary traffic lights were needed until the repairs could be done. The road is closed until May 2024 when work is due to finish.

As the images show, there is no way of completing the work without a road closure. The scheme needs a 30-tonne piling plant which takes up a significant width of the road. The team is also using a 50-tonne crane and around 150 tonnes of material has been imported on site.

Once the embankment is stabilised new drainage will be installed, and the carriageway resurfaced.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and digital said: “Getting this embankment repaired is a major piece of work, as I saw for myself during a recent site visit.

“We are extremely grateful to local residents, community leaders, and businesses for their support and understanding. We know having to close the road does have an impact, so it is good to know that work is progressing well and remains on schedule.

“Once it is completed and the embankment structure is restored it will mean temporary lights and the resulting delay to drivers will finally be removed from this busy route.”

A diversion is in place while the road remains closed. Details can be found at www.somerset.gov.uk/travel

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