It’s go in Yeovil for water supply boost
A £320,000 investment to enhance water supply in Yeovil will get under way later in spring 2026.
Deteriorating mains in the north of the town are being replaced to help prevent bursts and improve water quality and supply for local communities as part of a 13-week project starting in early April.
The work maintains Wessex Water’s investment in the supply network around the region, with around £12 million spent each year on a regional network spanning more than 12,000 kilometres.
What is happening?
Finishing in July, the project will see teams working in phases on Larkhill Road, Thorne Lane, Wessex Road and Greenwood Road.
Starting on Tuesday 7 April 2026, Larkhill Road will be closed to through traffic at the junction with Thorne Lane, with a diversion, using Thorne Lane, A37 (Ilchester Road) and Preston Road, in place until Sunday 19 April.
Work then moves on to Thorne Lane between Monday 20 April and Monday 11 May, with the westbound carriageway of Thorne Lane and the footpath closed to through traffic near the roundabout junction with Larkhill Road. The eastbound lane will remain open, with a diversion for westbound traffic, using the A37 (Ilchester Road), Preston Road and Larkhill Road will be in place.
Between Monday 11 May to Monday 22 June, a rolling north to south closure of the southbound carriageway and eastern footpath on Larkhill Road from the junction with Thorne Lane to just south of junction with Greenwood Road will be in place.
The northbound lane will remain open, with a diversion for southbound traffic, using Thorne Lane, A37 (Ilchester Road), Preston Road and Larkhill Road.
From Monday 11 May to Monday 1 June, Wessex Road will be closed to through traffic near its junction with Larkhill Road, with a diversion using Greenwood Road.
And from Monday 22 June to Sunday 5 July, Greenwood Road will be closed between its junctions with Larkhill Road and Thornton Road, with a diversion using Wessex Road, Springfield Place, Springfield Road, Stiby Road and Larkhill Road.
A site compound will be in place on Greenwood Road, with some carriageway incursion in place between Sunday 19 April and Monday 22 June, after which the above Greenwood Road closure will apply.
Why is it needed?
A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “This important project will replace a degrading main which can be prone to bursts, causing disruption for our local customers and it will ensure improved water quality and a more reliable supply for years to come.
"Closing roads is always our last resort and we’ve worked closely with Somerset Council to devise a programme that keeps disruption to a minimum as much as possible.
"We have also written to customers and businesses locally to advise them about this work and apologise for any inconvenience caused."
What else are we doing?
Wessex Water has also included ambitious water supply proposals to ensure the system can cope with the growing demands from population growth and challenges of climate change as part of £5 billion of proposed new investment within its 2025-2030 Business Plan.
