Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

The Project

This extensive maintenance scheme, commencing east of Mere and finishing at the junction with the B3089, has been successfully completed 9 days ahead of schedule and around £1 million under budget.

All traffic management and diversion routes were lifted by the evening of 12 March 2010.

By changing the design and working methods to allow the maximum level of activity to be undertaken within the minimum amount of traffic management, construction activities were broken down into phases to reflect the nature of work and limit disruptions to local people and the travelling public.

Preparation work started in July 2009 with overnight work and lane closures, in order to reduce the length of time the A303 had to be fully closed and therefore minimise the impact of the work on road users.

During the four week full closure, resurfacing and reconstruction of the road entailed over 20,000 tonnes of new materials being laid. Approximately 200 tonnes of concrete were needed to construct a new drainage channel and the 3.5km safety barrier was replaced at the rate of 350 metres a day. Over 60 new signs have also been installed at the site.

While the road was closed agreed diversion routes were signed and in place to advise drivers of the and close liaison with local authorities enabled the installation of temporary measures to help minimise disruption in local communities.

We recognise the inconvenience caused by both the project, and the diversion of a significant number of vehicles, and would like to thank you for your patience and co-operation whilst we carried out these vital works.