Drivers face ludicrous 30-mile diversion for just 160 metres of road closures this weekend
Delays will last for at least six hours on Sunday
GETTY
Drivers have been warned to expect severe delays along a vital A road this weekend which will see diversions stretching at least 30 miles long despite 160-metres worth of roadworks being in place.
The A368 near Bristol will be closed on Sunday, July 28, from 9.30am until 3.30pm as crucial work gets underway.
The diverted route will direct motorists through the town of Churchill, past Bristol Airport, before travelling through Bishopsworth, Whitchurch and Bishop Sutton before reaching Blagdon.
The change in schedule means drivers heading to the area could be stuck in delays lasting an hour.
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The 160-metre stretch of road will cause a 30-mile-long delay for drivers
NORTH SOMERSET COUNCIL
The A368 is one of the main roads through the south and west of Bath and North East Somerset.
It runs from Marksbury to Ubley connecting travellers from the east with the A38 road, which runs north to Bristol Airport, and south to Bridgwater and the M5.
Other roadworks happening along the A368 include a consultation into a lower speed limit on a stretch of the road, which is scheduled to end on August 15.
The changes would take place between Marksbury and Ubley with drivers given the opportunity to send feedback as a rising number of hazards are seen on the winding road.
Since 2014, the council recorded 53 collisions along the A368 within Bath and North East Somerset that resulted in injuries.
In more severe cases, 14 people have been killed or seriously injured due to dangerous speeding on the roads.
The consultation detailed: “Most collisions on our roads are caused by driver error. While people make mistakes, a lower and more appropriate speed limit for this road will reduce the likelihood of someone losing their life or suffering serious injuries as a result of a collision.”
The proposed changes would see non-residential areas have a speed reduction of 40mph from 50mph.
Approaching residential areas, where the road has a current limit of 40mph, the council wants to reduce this to 30mph.
Within residential areas including the A368, and local roads which lead onto it, they may see a speed limit reduction from 30mph to 20mph.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Stretches of the A368 could have their speeds lowered this year
PAThe public consultation will run throughout July and August with consideration of the responses taking place in late August and September.
The final decision will be announced in October with the speed limit changes, if implemented, coming into force in December.