A36 Limpley Stoke carriageway repairs and stabilisation

Latest updates

• 09 December 2024

  Work update - December

  Work is progressing on the A36 at Limpley Stoke where we are carrying out essential safety repairs.

  Photos below show some of the work taking place to stabilise the southbound embankment to prevent further movement.

  We need to install 208 piles, reaching a depth of between 6 to 9 metres.

  The photos also show the size and scale of the equipment needed for this specialist work and why we need to keep the road closed for everyone’s safety.

  We are using a 35T excavator and a 22T excavator.

  

  

  While we continue with this essential work the A36 will remain closed to all traffic between Limpley Stoke and Monkton Combe.

  Remember to plan ahead, follow the signed diversion, and allow extra times for your journeys. 

   

• 06 November 2024

  A36 to reclose - 10 November 2024

  The A36 Warminster Road at Limpley Stoke will reclose to traffic from 9pm on Sunday 10 November. 

  The full closure is required while we carry out essential safety repairs. 

  The work being carried out will stabilise the southbound embankment to prevent further movement.  

  The next phase of work will include piling and drainage improvements to the carriageway. 

  We continue to work closely with Bath and North East Somerset Council, Somerset Council, and Wiltshire Council, and are keeping all stakeholders, including local MPS and local communities, informed and updated. 

  We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we carry out this essential work. 

  We would remind drivers to plan their journeys, stick to the signed diversion routes and to avoid following sat navs through unsuitable and narrow local roads. 

  Our work is currently still on track to complete in the spring. 

• 24 September 2024

  A36 to temporarily reopen in October

  We’ll soon be temporarily opening the A36 Warminster Road at Limpley Stoke to allow Wiltshire Council to carry out essential work on the A350.

  Due to the damage to the southern embankment, there will be two way traffic lights in place to keep everyone safe. However, the road will be open to traffic.
  
  The road will open on Friday 18 October.

  It will then stay open over the half term break and close again on Monday 11 November.

  You may still notice us working in the area during this time. 
  
  Since work started, full details of the situation and ground-conditions on the A36 have become clear.

  When doing complex work like this, it’s only once we start that we know the full extent of what needs to be done.

  Removing the layers that make up the road surface and uncovering the ground below is a bit like removing the carpet in a house to check the floorboards.
  
  We’re also aware of an increase in traffic on the narrow, local roads in the area. We’ve been working closely with Wiltshire Council and Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) to help manage this.
  
  We’ll take this as an opportunity to

  • refine our approach to these essential repairs
  • see if we can reduce the time the road needs to be fully closed 

  We’ll take on board the feedback we've received over the last few months. 

  The northbound side of the road is safe. We’ll continue our inspections to ensure that it remains in sound condition until we return with the next stage of works.

• 12 September 2024

  What’s been happening within the closure

  We’ve been busy on site clearing vegetation, moving utility cables, exposing the rock, making sure we protect any wildlife in the area and starting our improvements on the drainage system. You may have even spotted us working by the school.

  Our repairs are essential to stabilise the carriageway to prevent the bank destabilising further, which would lead to more work being needed and road closures far longer than we currently have planned.

  Since work started, the full complexity of the situation on the A36 has become clear. After removing the layers of the road, we’ve found that the ground make-up is not as we expected based on our surveys.

  We’re carrying out further surveys to learn more about the ground conditions under the road to ensure we not only deliver the repairs safely, but they last long into the future. These surveys can only be carried out while the road is fully closed.

  We understand the impact the closure is having on the communities nearby, and we are doing what we can to assist. This includes providing hi-vis clothing and torches for the local school, installing extra signage and funding an improved bus service during school hours.

  We continue to work closely with Bath and North East Somerset Council, Somerset Council, and Wiltshire Council, and are keeping all stakeholders, including local MPS and local communities, informed and updated. The team are regularly on site speaking to residents to allow us to review options and suggestions for any changes.

  We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we carry out this essential work and remind drivers to plan their journeys, stick to the signed diversion routes and to avoid following sat navs through unsuitable and narrow local roads.

  Our work is currently still on track to complete in the Spring.

• 11 July 2024

  Work has started on the A36

  The A36 Warminster Road is fully closed between Limpley Stoke and Monkton Combe til spring 2025. Our traffic marshals are on hand to help out at the north and south closure points and make sure things run smoothly.

  In this video, route manager Sean explains more about our work on the A36 and answers some of the questions you've been asking us:

  Please plan ahead, follow the signed diversions, and leave plenty of time for your journeys.

  What we're doing

  We’re working to stabilise the embankment by the southbound carriageway. By taking care of this now, we're preventing further issues and keep the main carriageway safe.

  We understand that road closures are frustrating. By fully closing the road, we can get this scheme done safely and quickly, causing less disruption overall.

  Diversion routes

  A diversion is in place for northbound traffic via the A350 and A4. For taller vehicles, please use the A350, M4, M32, A4174, A4 and A36. Southbound traffic should follow the same routes in reverse.