Yeovil Refresh: High Street, Hendford and the Borough to close to vehicular traffic as next phase of Public Realm works progress

31 March 2023 | District

The next phase of planned Yeovil Refresh public realm enhancement works will commence on 11 April 2023, focussing on shared space improvements to High Street, Hendford and Borough. This will involve the closure of High Street, Hendford and Borough to all vehicular traffic for a period of 36 weeks.

Why closures to these streets are necessary:

By closing these roads, we ensure that the works will be undertaken with greater efficiency, enabling the general public and workforce involved to operate in the safest possible environment

In partnership with our local bus companies, it has been agreed that a full road closure ensures the avoidance of any doubt or confusion among the public, that large scale works are in progress, for a specified period of time
By undertaking the work within a full road closure, the works can be completed efficiently, reducing programme durations which will minimise overall disruption and keep the project within budget
Emergency vehicle access can and will be maintained at all times
All affected parties will be consulted with, to ensure deliveries and refuse collections are suitably coordinated
Time and financial implications: based on previous delays to works where 24/7 road closures were not possible, calculations show that there would be significant increase to cost and would take an additional four to five months to complete

Key points:

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the duration of the works
Physical access to businesses will be maintained in order that businesses will be accessible during their working hours
An alternative bus route has been made and agreed with bus operators
An alternative stop will be provided in Court Ash for the duration of works. Buses will then travel on to the bus station in Glovers walk as usual. Temporary bus stop signage and timetable advice will be provided at that location.
There will however be a period of a couple of weeks when utility companies will be working on the diversion route. We will share these details with users once available
Our partners, SWH Contracting Ltd. are liaising with businesses in High Street Hendford, and Borough to ensure deliveries and bin collections are facilitated over the period of this closure
Access to the taxi rank in Silver Street for hackney carriages will be via Middle Street. There will be a need to make alternative arrangements when finishing work is carried out on the junction of Middle Street and the Borough. This comes at the end of the works so information will be provided at that time to hackney carriage operators
Blue badge parking in High Street will not be accessible over the duration of works. Blue badge holders should use nearby spaces in Princes Street or a range of alternative parking on street locations across the town centre or spaces provided in public car parks

Cllr Peter Gubbins, Portfolio Holder for Yeovil Refresh commented:

“We are excited to begin this phase of the programme which will, once complete create improved shared spaces that are greener and easier to navigate.

We do however appreciate the disruption that businesses, residents and visitors to the High Street will experience over the duration of the works, and are working hard with our partners, SWH Ltd. to ensure these are minimised, with alternative provisions in place wherever possible.”

The Yeovil Refresh programme is split into four themes which will be delivered by a number of different stakeholders. These are broadly defined as:

Developments. This relates to bringing forward empty buildings and stalled development sites within the town centre

Public Realm enhancements. Improvements to core streets including Westminster Street, High Street, Borough, Middle Street, Triangle and Wyndham Street area. This will create a better shared space which will be greener and easier to navigate. A new events square will be created at the Triangle
Transport system changes. Changes to road systems, additional cycle ways, improved walking routes, review of bus routes, car parking improvements and possible highways junctions
Soft interventions. This includes events programmes, markets, management of spaces in the town, evening economy changes and a range of other economic activities

Work began in September 2021 with the public realm improvements, the first areas of focus being Westminster Street, Triangle and Wine Street. Work to the High Street is scheduled to commence on 11 April 2023. Full details about the programme, its ambition and purpose can be found at www.yeovilrefresh.co.uk