A FIVE-night closure of the A39 through Porlock will go ahead this week after checks revealed the road will not need to be dug up again in the autumn for sewers to be relined.

Somerset Council had been planning resurfacing works but said it would postpone the project rather than face the road being dug up again so soon.

But Wessex Water last week carried out an investigation of a section of pipe under High Street from Dunster Steep to the junction of Englands Road and decided the relining would not require open trench work.

County assistant highway service manager Kali Martin said: “We have received confirmation from Wessex Water that the sewer line on the A39 is in a suitable condition to reline internally later in the year, and therefore will not require an open dug trench.”

Mr Martin said contractors Milestone had now been given the go-ahead for the resurfacing scheme, which will be carried out on Monday, April 24, to Friday, April 28, from 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm each evening.

A diversion route will be signed.

Mr Martin said advance signing, including variable message signs, had been in place since April 4.

He said: “To date, we have received one inquiry from a resident within Porlock area, whom we have been able to assist, and we will also be visiting a local business which has raised questions about our scheme.”

The work involves a stretch of road along the A39 High Street, from the junction of Parson Street toward the war memorial at Dunster Steep.

The council’s highways portfolio holder, Cllr Mike Rigby, said: “We recognise these works will inevitably impact on the community, and we have been engaging in the village since last month and want to do our very best to manage and mitigate it.

“We chose this period as when we last resurfaced a similar section of carriageway within the village it was the least disruptive between the holiday of Easter, the Spring Bank Holidays, and the remaining summer season.”