Work completed to make Miner’s Arms crossing ‘safer’

A council project to redevelop a busy junction with a history of 37 known accidents has been completed on time and on budget.

Somerset Council and its contractor Octavius ​​have welcomed the opening of the new Miner’s Arms junction near Priddy as a major investment in road safety.

Work began in April at the B3135/B3134 intersection, a notorious crash site that has seen 11 serious crashes in 20 years, and completed this month.

Councilor Richard Wilkins said he was “delighted” the plan had been implemented.

“The statistics speak for themselves, something had to be done,” he said.

“We made sure the evidence pointed to a new design that would make the crossing safer and identified funding within our budget to make it a reality.

“Local residents and councilors were keen to get something done and I am sure they will all be pleased with the outcome.”

Under the plan, the contractor realigned the entire crossing (essentially built a new stretch of road) to stagger the crossings and help ensure that collisions are radically reduced in the future.

Previously, drivers did not regularly stop at the intersection, despite clear signage.

The work included signage, cladding, extensive drainage works and a new 40mph speed limit, as well as associated landscaping sympathetic to the Mendip Hills National Landscape setting, reusing stone salvaged from the site to construct hundreds of feet of stone wall. dry stone.