Wells drivers warned of roundabout disruption

By Laura Linham 29th Jun 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 2 hours ago

Wells drivers are being warned of traffic disruption when work begins on a new roundabout at a crash-hit junction.

Work is due to start on Monday, 6 July, to replace the existing junction between the B3135 and the B3139 with a new roundabout. The junction has been the scene of six collisions in the last 20 years, including five serious incidents and one fatality, which happened in 2019.

Somerset Council is due to begin work on the scheme after two weeks were postponed to allow "some final adjustments" to be made to the designs. The work is expected to run until the end of 2026.

The junction will not be completely closed to traffic until the roundabout is finished. However, the council has warned there will be disruption while the contractor carries out the work.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said the work was needed to improve safety at the junction.

He said: "This difficult junction has been identified as a priority for some time, but with a project of this size we have needed to plan for the impact and necessary closure and identify funding to deliver it.

"We understand there will be disruption while our contractor does the work that will involve local businesses. We have been working to ensure we minimise any impact as much as possible.

"At the end of the day, this scheme is vital to ensure the chance of death or serious injury on this junction is reduced."

The scheme will also affect the 173 bus service, which runs from Bath to Wells. During the roadworks, the 173 will leave and enter Wells through Tor Street and join the A371 before rejoining its usual route.

The diversion means a shuttle bus service will run from Wells Bus Station to cover areas cut off from the main route, including East Wells, Horringtons and Haydon.

Full details of the proposed diversion, and other planned roadworks in the area, are available from Somerset Council's roads, travel and parking pages.