Businesses in and around Midsomer Norton have put in an urgent plea to support local traders, with news announced that Silver Street, one of the main gateways into the town, will need to be closed for up to seven months whilst the building of the new Primary School gets underway.

B&NES Council has issued notice to make an order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to temporarily close a section of road at the top of Silver Street, Midsomer Norton, for a maximum period of seven months commencing on Tuesday, 12th November, the day after Carnival. Concern has been expressed at the lack of consultation and the impact on residents and local businesses.

The closure of Silver Street (B3355) will be between the junction with Charlton Road and the Somerset County Council Boundary (outside Midsomer Norton Rugby Club). The Traffic Order states that the closure is required for utility works being carried out by Sun Traffic Ltd, the firm working to prepare for the new school currently under construction. It is understood that the road works are to be carried out in five phases, the implication being that the closure restrictions may not be in effect for the whole period.

Cllr Paul Myers, B&NES Midsomer Norton Redfield, said: “We had already arranged for local residents and businesses immediately affected to meet with the contractors on 22nd October, as there had been no consultation or communication about how the road works and wider construction in the area were being managed. The fact that a closure of seven months is now on the cards means we are demanding that B&NES and the contractors consider the wider impact on the already struggling High Street traders and put in place a package of measures to help them through this.

“It is vital for the well-being of the town’s economy that we promote the fact that Midsomer Norton is open for business as usual. In order to achieve this, I have asked that the Midsomer Norton Regeneration Partnership calls an urgent meeting with B&NES to pull together a concerted team effort.”

One business likely to be impacted the most will be Norton Hall Farm, located just beyond the B&NES boundary in Silver Street. They sell eggs, potatoes, bird seed and a range of other items. “The lead-up to Christmas is a busy time for us, selling Christmas Trees,” says Mike Summerfield, of Norton Hall Farm. “With Silver Street closed, our passing trade will be wiped out, and we fear that many of our regular customers may well simply go elsewhere. Something needs to be done to help us – particularly as we have had no warning that such a long closure was being planned.”

Local residents at the top of Silver Street have been left wondering how they will access their homes. Silver Street resident, Tony Isherwood, said: “I’ve had no notification. In the original planning application, we were promised that local residents would be communicated with at the start of the development and every three months thereafter.

“Given we heard nothing in July when they started, we are now due for the second briefing. I assumed from the planning application that there would be four phases of development starting with the road changes. For some reason, they seem to have started with Phase 2, the School. The only consolation was that our local B&NES Ward Councillors had already been in touch, and arranged the meeting earlier this week with the contractors.”

Midsomer Norton’s roads are already busy, so concerns have been expressed as to whether Charlton Road could cope with increased traffic levels for such a long period. One suggestion is that measures are needed, such as having a ‘lollipop’ person at the existing Norton Hill School crossing in Charlton Road, to keep traffic moving on the ‘alternative route’ when the stream of children arrive and leave the school each day.

Councillor Chris Watt, (Midsomer Norton Redfield), adds: “When Silver Street was last closed for utility works, it had a hugely detrimental effect on the town’s businesses with some businesses, I understand, making compensation claims for disruption to trade.

“As well as a strong package of measures to promote the town during the period of the closure, this is a golden opportunity for B&NES to finally put in place some road signage to indicate that Midsomer Norton actually exists – something we havebeen requesting for years.

“Despite the town being the third largest settlement in B&NES, you would be hard pressed to find a sign referring to it as you leave Bath – the first time the name appears being when you enter Radstock.”

B&NES Council has indicated that they recognise the concerns of local residents and businesses alike, and will be working to address these in the coming weeks before the road closure commences.