A MAJOR Exmoor road was being reopened three weeks earlier than planned on Friday (April 19), after contractors pulled out all the stops to complete a £500,000 repair.

The B3224 between Wheddon Cross and Exford closed on January 8 for an embankment to be reinstated at Roundwaters and was not due to be open again until May 10.

But Somerset Council contractor Walters has completed the scheme ahead of schedule despite periods of torrential rain, and even snow, in the past three months.

Somerset Cllr Steven Pugsley told the Free Press: “The contractors have done a brilliant job.

“We know they have been working very hard and very efficiently to try to improve on the original timetable and they are now nearly four weeks ahead, which has to be good news.

“While it has been a considerable inconvenience to local residents, I think we all appreciate a very long-term repair has been made and we hope we never have to undergo another reconstruction like that in our lifetimes.”

Wootton Courtenay Parish Council clerk Roz Griffin said it was ‘great news’ for residents that the major road project had been completed early.

The road was due be open from 5.30pm on Friday.

Ms Griffin said: “This is ahead of schedule which is excellent news, especially for all those who use the road regularly.”

Temporary traffic lights had restricted the B3224 at Roundwaters to a single lane since the winter of 2020 when a storm brought down a large roadside tree.