Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd, the principal contractor for Somerset County Council’s M5 Junction 25 improvement scheme has been busy with pre-commencement works, including site clearance and ecological surveying.
In its May newsletter, the company said it was committed to working responsibly and that meant working closely with expert ecologists to minimise the impact on the environment as much as possible.
During March, trial holes were dug and ground radar surveys were carried out along the Toneway while it was closed for night-time resurfacing works. Site compounds have been set up within the Gateway Park and Ride and site safety barriers erected.
The main construction programme is now underway and over the next few weeks, offline works will include the demolition of the old farm buildings and asbestos clearance. The contractor will continue to erect temporary site buildings and accommodation units within the Cambria Farm site.
Heavy machinery will soon start arriving near Junction 25 as the earthworks begin near the Gateway Park and Ride area, working towards the Black Brook in preparation for a new link road.
The first online works will start the week commencing Sunday, 19 May with the creation of an extra lane around the Junction 25 roundabout. Alun Griffiths said work would be carried out as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimise disruption to traffic, residents and businesses.
“This does mean plans may sometimes change at short notice but we’ll do our best to provide advance notice of works which will impact on your journey and keep you updated through these newsletters, the www.travelsomerset.co.uk/J25 webpage and the @TravelSomerset Twitter account,” a spokesman for Alun Griffiths said.
The company will be opening a Public Information Centre at the Gateway Park and Ride site on Tuesday, 14 May between 13.30pm and 15.30pm, which will be open each Tuesday between these times, unless otherwise publicised. Public Liaison Officer Rosemarie Harrod will be on hand to answer questions about the work.
In the meantime, more information is available on the dedicated Junction 25 webpage at www.travelsomerset.co.uk/J25.
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