Freshford road closed to traffic due to flood damage

The surface of the road has been torn up by flood water from the River Frome close to the Inn at Freshford.

It is now rutted and potholed, with slabs having been cracked and torn up by the flood water which is now receding.

Some drivers ignored the damaged road surface and carried on despite 'road closed' and diversion signs. (Image: John Baker)

Road closed signs are up but cars, an Ocado delivery van and a council-contracted heavy goods vehicle collecting refuse from homes on Staples Hill were spotted using it this week.

An Ocado delivery van was one of the vehicles whose driver ignored the 'road closed' and diversion signs to carry on over the damaged road surface at Freshford. (Image: John Baker)

This HGV refuse collection vehicle was heading to Staples Hill having been driven over the damaged road surface at Freshford. (Image: John Baker)

John Putt, a member of Freshford Parish Council, said they “briefly” discussed the damaged road at a meeting on Monday (February 19).

“We have already contacted Bath & North East Somerset Council to say we want the road to be repaired quickly,” he said.

Cllr Manda Rigby, B&NES Council's cabinet member for transport, said: “Our highways inspectors visited the site which has been badly damaged by flood water.

"The damage will need significant remedial works and we have already alerted our contractor. In the meantime a road closure is in place with signage so we can carry out a full assessment of the repairs needed once the water levels have receded. We will provide an update as soon as we can.”

Freshford Parish Council later confirmed the road will be closed until the end of next week, with it due to open on Saturday, March 2.

The A36 is closed from Bathampton to Beckington for the next three nights 8pm to 6am. Winsley Hill will be closed at night from next Monday until March 6, from 7pm to 6am.

The Inn at Freshford was closed on Tuesday and managers were not available for comment on whether their trade will be affected.

The village of Freshford sits on the Bath & North East Somerset border with Wiltshire and councils on both sides have put out ‘road closed’ and diversion signs.

While the road remains damaged, it is also disrupting the 94 Libra Travel community bus services from Trowbridge, through Wingfield, Westwood, Freshford and Limpley Stoke to Bath.

It is understood that while buses are unable to travel over the River Frome bridge close to the Inn at Freshford, they will still be picking up passengers from the stop near Freshford Primary School.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for transport, said: “We appreciate that this is an important bus service for local people and we are in contact with BANES Council about the length of time it will take to complete the road repairs.

"We understand that engineers working for BANES council are surveying the road and will then inform us how long the repairs are likely to take. We will then be able to make a decision about whether or not we need to introduce an emergency timetable for the 94 bus service.”

The road is also a key route for commuter traffic from Westwood, Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge to the A36 and Bath.

Many locals use the route to attend routine and emergency appointments at the Royal United Hospital in Bath and to go to work in the city.

It is a particularly popular route for people working at the University of Bath and Wessex Water, both of which are located at Claverton Down.

The situation is made worse because diversions are via the narrow lane past Iford Manor to the A36, and the bridge at Freshford Mill collapsed in the floods in early January.