THE next stage of traffic controls to allow works for the planned Agratas battery facility will start in Bridgwater next month.

The works, being carried out by Agratas’s contractor, JSM Group Services Ltd, are needed to install underground power cables connecting the Gravity site in Puriton to Bridgwater’s electricity substation.

The first phase of the project on Westonzoyland Road and Bower Lane is almost finished, and further work on Bower Lane and the A39 Bath Road start soon.

• Bower Lane: The southern section is scheduled to be closed in phases from Monday 9 September to late December.

• A39 Bath Road: Work due to start on 19 September and run until mid-November, with a one-way system from Crandon Bridge to the junction with Bower Lane. Traffic will only be able to travel towards Bridgwater. The signed diversion route will be via Junction 23 and then south via the A38.

Diversions will be clearly signposted and access maintained at all times for directly affected businesses and homes.

Any one-way arrangements will be lifted for the Carnival season between 30 October to 4 November.

Traffic management is scheduled to be paused over the festive period, between December 2 and January 2.

At the start of the New Year, traffic controls will also be needed on the A39 Puriton Hill.

Details are being confirmed and we will provide further information when it is ready.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, lead member for Transport and Digital, said: “The benefits for jobs and the economy that come with this huge investment are well known and hugely important to the county’s future.

“A development of this scale needs supporting infrastructure, and that usually means work on the highway with some unavoidable disruption.

“Much of this will be unfolding in the coming months and includes significant work on the A39. We’re working closely with everyone involved to coordinate the works and limit the disruption as much as possible.”

An Agratas spokesperson said: “We’re working with Somerset Council to connect our site to Bridgwater’s power station.

"We recognise this will cause some disruption to roads and traffic in Bridgwater and are doing everything we can to keep this to a minimum.

“The works will enable us to drive forward with the next phase of development, bringing us one step closer to completing our £4bn facility which will bring thousands of jobs and training opportunities to the region.”