WORK on the £5.7 million resurfacing of Wellington’s ‘concrete carriageway’ has been pushed back until late next year or 2025, it was revealed this week.

The Chelston roundabout link to junction 26 of the M5 motorway has not been surfaced since it was built 50 years ago.

The Government awarded a £4.736 million grant for the work three years ago and Somerset Council has pledged a further £1 million.

But a start on the scheme has been repeatedly delayed and now the council has said it will not get under way until ‘the latter part of 2024’ at the earliest.

International infrastructure construction group Balfour Beatty has been contracted to carry out the work, which could take 12 months to complete.

The project will include enhancements to the motorway junction roundabout, where kerbing has been damaged or missing for a number of years.

Many of the concrete slabs which were laid in 1974 have over the decades become cracked and as they are removed they will be recycled to reduce the need for new materials.

The council has been holding discussions to ensure the project does not clash with other major roadworks in the area.

The unitary council, which is facing bankruptcy in the next three months, declared a ‘financial emergency’ in early November and started a review of all major capital projects, including road improvements, to assess their ‘value for money’ and if they could be funded as much as possible without borrowing more money.

Council director of finance and procurement Nicola Hix said: “The A38 Chelston link road resurfacing project has progressed through the pre-construction phase.

“However, the main construction is now not scheduled to commence until the second half of 2024/25.

“This is due to the tendering process and availability of road space with several National Highways works planned within the local area.”

Ms Hix said the council was working with National Highways to avoid the work clashing with other planned roadworks in the next 12 months.

A council spokesman said: “These are major and complex works that will ensure the road remains usable for years to come, but will take some time to complete.

“We need to consider how the scheme can be delivered in the most cost-effective, given industry inflation pressures, and environmentally friendly way.

“Critically, we must also avoid any clash with other local and national works, and are in discussions with National Highways to identify a suitable schedule.

“We hope to have an update soon, but can say the works are not likely to happen before the latter part of 2024.”

Funding for the ‘concrete carriageway’ scheme has been ring-fenced to prevent it being reallocated for other projects or day-to-day spending on Somerset’s road network.