Author: Lesley Webb

Following an urgent contractor and suppliers meeting late on Friday 12th December we regret to inform you that due to the Christmas shutdown, the contractor delivering the works is unable to guarantee the required materials by the original start date of 5th January 2026.

For this reason, the difficult decision has been made to delay the start of the works until week commencing 9th February 2026, with an expected duration of approximately three weeks. This revised schedule will help ensure there are no delays through the supply chain and will also incorporate the half-term school holiday to minimise disruption.

The scope of the works remains unchanged: a stronger and more reliable solution using king pin concrete anchors with a concrete beam will be installed to ensure the long-term stability of the road.

During this period, A396 Cutcombe Hill will need to be fully closed 24 hours a day for approximately three weeks. Diversion routes will be in place for public service vehicles, and plans are being considered to shuttle pupils through the site for school transport.

We understand how important this route is to the community and appreciate your patience and cooperation while we complete these vital repairs. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Yours faithfully,

Kali Martin

Assistant Highway Service Manager

Somerset Council Area – Westhighways-west@somerset.gov.uk

0300 123 2224

Please find below a copy of our latest newsletter and wanted items list. Can I take this moment to thank you all for the wonderful support we have received this last month with all the Christmas donations. We are in a good place to fulfil all our orders this week and the further weeks running up and during the Christmas period.  It is so wonderful to see the community to come together to support others.

WSFC Newsletter Dec 2025

12-25 Food Request Dec 25

Can I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I will be back in touch again in the New Year.

Thank you for everything you have done during 2025.

Sara Trigg ,Team Leader

07795 080637

We can now confirm that these works have been scheduled to start during the week commencing 5th January 2026.

The delay in programming the repairs was due to detailed ground investigations, which showed that sheet piling would not be suitable for reinstating the verge edge and fencing. Instead, a stronger and more reliable solution using king pin concrete anchors with a concrete beam will be installed to ensure the long-term stability of the road.

To carry out these essential works safely, A396 Cutcombe Hill will need to be fully closed for approximately three weeks, from 5th January through to 23rd January. This will be a 24-hour closure throughout the period. We appreciate that this may cause inconvenience, and we want to assure you that these dates represent the worst-case scenario—we are hopeful that the works can be completed sooner.

During the closure, public service vehicles will follow diversion routes. For school transport, plans are being considered to shuttle pupils through the site to minimise disruption for families.

We understand how important this route is to the community and thank you for your patience and cooperation while we complete these vital repairs. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Yours faithfully,

Kali Martin
Assistant Highway Service Manager

Somerset Council Area – West

Join the Priority Services Register

Joining their Priority Services Register means you’ll be able to get a range of extra help when you need it. This could be all the time, or for a short period due to something that’s happened in your life.

Some of the help you can get includes:

• priority support in an emergency
• wherever possible, advanced notice of scheduled power cuts
• the ability to nominate someone to receive communications and bills from your supplier, for example a family member, carer or someone you trust
• the chance to move your prepayment meter if you can’t safely get to it to top up
• account info and bills in large print or braille

Who can join

You can ask to join your supplier or network operator’s Priority Services Register if you:

• have reached state pension age
• are pregnant, or have young children
• struggle with speaking or reading English

You can also join if you’re living with a disability or a long-term medical condition, including:

• mental health conditions
• conditions affecting your sight, hearing or sense of smell
• conditions that mean you need to use medical equipment that requires a power supply

Help is also available if your circumstances have recently changed, for example if you:

• are recovering from an injury, or need support after a stay in hospital
• have been bereaved
• have lost your job

How to join

Sign up for the register at:

https://customer.nationalgrid.co.uk/advice-and-guidance/priority-services?utm_source=thepsr&utm_medium=web