More than 12,000 new homes could be built across Somerset in 2024 if plans are approved.

The last 12 months have seen numerous large housing developments approved across the county – including the Folletts Farm site in Bridgwater, the Somerton Road site in Street, and numerous sections of the Orchard Grove development (a.k.a. the Comeytrowe urban extension) in Taunton.

But further sites will still need to be approved over the coming 12 months to ease the housing crisis, ensuring both existing residents and newcomers to the area have a place to call home.

In light of this, we're running down a list of 50 sites which could be approved in 2024, delivering a combined total of 12,545 homes.

Please note the list below is primarily for sites where plans have already been submitted, or where appeals have been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate – it is not intended as an exhaustive list of any sizeable housing development that may come on stream in Somerset in the next year.

It should also be noted that the delivery of many of these developments may be held up by the need for additional phosphate mitigation as a result of the Dutch N court case – so while these homes may be approved, it may take longer to deliver them.

With that in mind, here are 50 major housing developments which could be given the green light some time in 2024:

1. Selwood Garden Community, Frome (1,700 homes plus employment units, primary school and wetlands park): The single largest development on the list will see Frome expand considerably, with new homes being delivered up to the A361 arterial road. If approved, the 1,700 homes will be delivered over a 15-year period, along with a new primary school, two employment sites, two care homes, new shops and restaurants, and new wetlands. Plans for a new solar farm within the site have been withdrawn and subsequently removed from the developers' masterplan – which was branded "all sizzle and no steak" by locals when it went out to consultation
2. Monkton Heathfield urban extension (phase two), Monkton Heathfield, Taunton (1,450 homes plus employment units, school, bus and ride facility and A38 relief road): Persimmon Homes South West and Redrow Homes put forward joint plans in December 2021 for phase two of the Monkton Heathfield urban extension, which will deliver new homes at Taunton's north-eastern edge along with employment sites, a new school and a relief road. A decision on the plans has been repeated delayed as the developers negotiate with the council's planning officers over the layout of the new phase and the trigger points at which various amenities will be delivered. A decision is now expected in the spring of 2024 – assuming no further deferrals are negotiated, or the developers do not grow tired of waiting and lodge an appeal
3. West Woolavington site, Woolavington (1,400 homes plus primary school, mixed-use local centre and mobility hub, football pitches and cycle routes): Persimmon Homes Severn Valley has published initial proposals for this major new development which would see the village of Woolavington virtually double in size. The new homes would stretch from the Gravity enterprise zone on Woolavington Road to the existing sports pitches on Crancombe Lane, with a range of new amenities being provided. Public consultation events are expected to take place early in the new year before a formal planning application is submitted
4. Bower Lane, Bridgwater (750 homes plus primary school, community hub and spine road): This parcel of land forms the final part of the East Bridgwater housing allocation, which stretches from the A39 Bath Road to the bottom of Dunwear Lane. In addition to the new homes, a new primary school will be delivered in one of the later proposed phases of the development, along with local shops and cycle routes. The spine road will run from the A39 to the Strawberry Grange site (which is currently being delivered by Countryside Partnerships) and a new roundabout on the A372 Westonzoyland Road, which is currently under construction
5. West Wincanton site, West Hill, Wincanton (650 homes plus commercial space, primary school and local centre): Land Value Alliances and Origin3 have published proposals for this development, which would deliver 650 new homes between the town's western edge and the A371 Lawrence Hill, leading to Castle Cary. The new development will expand the town dramatically, with a new school, commercial space and a care home all being proposed. A formal planning application is expected to be submitted to the council in early-2024
6. Crewkerne Key Site (phase two), A30 Yeovil Road, Crewkerne (525 homes plus shops, parklands and link road: Taylor Wimpey Exeter has outline permission to construct 635 new homes on the Crewkerne Key Site, which lies between the A30 Yeovil Road and the A356 Station Road to the east of the town centre. South Somerset District Council approved detailed plans for the first 110 homes in March 2021, with construction formally getting under way later the same year. The developer has now revealed its proposed designs for the remaining homes at the northern end of the site, which could be delivered within the next three to four years if permission is granted. Discussions are also ongoing about the delivery of a new green space in the town centre, using land set aside by Taylor Wimpey and linking up to the new cycle routes within the development
7. B3227 Taunton Road in Norton Fitzwarren (400 homes plus relief road): Crest Nicholson South West and West of England Developments (Taunton) Ltd. have put forward plans for 400 new homes on the Ford Farm site in Norton Fitzwarren, north of the railway line. As part of the development, the two firms will complete the construction of Great Western Way at the site's southern edge, taking pressure off the B3227 between Taunton and Wiveliscombe. Land near the western edge is being left vacant in case West Somerset Railway wishes to bring its former halt back into use
8. Canal Way, Ilminster (360 homes): Persimmon Homes South West submitted plans in late-2016 to build up to 400 homes south of Canal Way, between the town's Meadows Surgery and the Herne Hill nature reserve. Revised plans for 360 homes on the same site have now been put forward, with land being set aside to mitigate the additional phosphates generated from the site. However, the new development may no longer include a new primary school, with Somerset Council preferring to expand the nearby Herne View Primary School following its recent reforms
9. Bridgwater Gateway site, A38 Taunton Road, Bridgwater (346 homes plus care home and extension to Stockmoor & Willstock Country Park): Sedgemoor District Council voted in late-March 2023 to approve the design principles of phase two of the Bridgwater Gateway site, which will deliver hundreds of new homes and much-needed jobs on the A38 Taunton Road, not far from Junction 24 of the M5. Boklok UK Ltd. has now submitted plans for 346 homes on its section of the site, along with a 66-bed care home and an extension to the nearby Stockmoor and Willstock Country Park. Boklok – which is jointly owned by Skanska and Ikea – intends to deliver a mixture of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes to the north of the existing commercial units on Compass Avenue, near the existing Premier Inn and Costa Coffee branch
10. Exeter Road, Rockwell Green (315 homes plus convenience store and allotments): Gladman Developments has put forward plans for 315 new homes and a convenience store at the western edge of this village near Wellington, between Exeter Road and the railway line. Gladman previously won an appeal against Taunton Deane Borough Council on the neighbouring Bagley Road site, which has now been built out as Monument View after being sold to Bovis Homes. A new convenience store to serve the homes will be provided near Exeter Road, with existing footpaths running through the site being enhanced to provide a link to other village services via the Dobree Park estate
11. A356 Station Road, Crewkerne (300 homes plus local centre, allotments and woodland): Place Land LLP first approached South Somerset District Council in mid-2018 about the prospect of building up to 350 new homes to the west of the A356 Station Road opposite the station entrance. Following delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Exeter-based land promoter launched a formal consultation in August 2022 on plans for up to 300 new homes on this site, with connections to other nearby housing developments. An amended proposal is expected to come forward early in the new year for a final decision
12. B3151 Somerton Road, Street (280 homes): Mendip District Council granted outline planning permission to the Ninesquare Trust to deliver 280 homes on the edge of Street in January, despite locals' concerns about flooding. Curo Enterprise Ltd. – which is currently delivering the Keyford Meadows development on the southern edge of Frome – has now submitted revised proposals for the same number of homes. The new phosphate generated from the site will be off-set by fallowing agricultural land near Wraxall, between Street and Shepton Mallet
13. A367 Green Park Road, Midsomer Norton (270 homes): Outline permission for this development, dubbed "the meat in the sandwich", was secured by Waddeton Park Ltd. in July 2022 – a decision which was ratified by Mendip District Council in March 2023 following a judicial review. The site has now been sold to Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, which has put forward amended designs for the same number of properties. If approved, the new estate will link up with the Cherry Blossom View development to the south, comprising 75 homes being delivered by Wainhomes
14. A359 Mudford Road, Yeovil (252 homes): Yeovil LVA LLP sought outline planning permission to build a 252-dwelling development featuring a public open space with community orchard and village green at the A359 Mudford Road. This site lies a stone's through away from the Up Mudford key site where more than 700 new homes will be delivered over the next decade. After Somerset Council failed to make a decision in an appropriate amount of time, the developer has lodged an appeal, with a planning inquiry expected to be held early in the new year
15. A358 Tatworth Road, Chard (236 homes): Persimmon Homes South West applied to build 252 new homes on the A358 Tatworth Road, providing the first section of the long-awaited Chard eastern relief road which will eventually link up with the A30. A decision has been repeatedly delayed due to concerns about traffic and education provision within the site – during which time the proposed number of homes has been reduced to 236. The delivery of the relief road remains a hot potato in Chard, with a report laying out the options being repeatedly delayed
16. A30 Crewkerne Road, Chard (230 homes): Gladman Developments launched a consultation in September 2022 on plans for a new development north of the A30 Crewkerne Road, within the Chard Eastern Development Area (CEDA). The Congleton-based developer believes it can meet Chard's growing need for housing and help to deliver part of a vital relief road to ease town centre traffic. A formal outline planning application could be debated by the council's planning committee south some time in the new year
17. Parsonage Farm, B3191 Brendon Road, Watchet (230 homes plus commercial space, orchard and allotments): The Wyndham Estate has published plans for 230 homes at this farm which was used by the organisers of the Watchet Musical Festival, which was last staged in 2022. In addition to the new homes, the existing farm buildings on the western edge of the site will be converted to provide offices and industrial units. The homes will be concentrated in the northern half of the development, with the existing public footpaths through the site being enhanced and green space near the existing homes on Brendon Road being maintained
18. Nynehead Road, Wellington (220 homes plus commercial space and access for new railway station): West of England Developments (Taunton) Ltd. held an initial consultation in August 2022 on the development, which at that stage comprised 220 homes, a care home, commercial space and an access road off Nynehead Road to the site of the new Wellington railway station. The development either side of the new spine road will be predominantly residential, but with commercial space being concentrated near the station and at the entrance from Nynehead Road. At the western edge of the site, a new park will be created to provide a buffer between the new homes and the existing Longforth Farm development, with pedestrian and cycling links being provided from the station through the park to both Lillebonne Way and the B3187 Taunton Road
19. Bridgwater Gateway site, A38 Taunton Road, Bridgwater (150 homes): Vistry Partnerships published proposals in February for 150 homes at the western edge of the Bridgwater Gateway site – with decisions on both applications being expected by the summer. The Vistry homes will be accessed via the same spine road which runs through the Boklok site, connecting the development to the A38 via Compass Avenue. The existing access to Hadworthy Lane will not be accessible for vehicles – and it is unlikely to be used during the construction phase
20. B3168 Station Road, Ilminster (150 homes plus commercial units): Dairygold Co-operative Society Ltd put forward these plans in January 2019 for 150 homes on the northern side of the B3168 Station Road and a range of employment units (including a car showroom and a drive-thru) on the southern side. Concerns have been raised about the flood risk from the River Isle which runs near the site, especially in light of the events in October 2021. Local farmers have been advised to not plant maize on the surrounding fields in a bid to reduce the risk to this and other sites
21. Brookfield Nurseries, Ruishton Road, Ruishton (150 homes): Taylor Wimpey has submitted outline plans for up to 150 new homes on the Brookfield Farm Shop and Nursery site on Ruishton Lane in Ruishton, north of the Gateway park and ride site on the eastern edge of Taunton. The development will include substantial amounts of public open space to provide a buffer between the new homes, the Black Brook and the M5 motorway. Access to the new development (dubbed 'Brookfield Nurseries') would be from Ruishton Lane, with walking and cycle routes being provided throughout the site and potentially linking up with the village and the recently-upgraded junction with the A358
22. Cheddon Road, Taunton (150 homes): Gladman Developments was originally refused permission for 180 homes on this site in July 2019, with Somerset West and Taunton Council's planning committee ruling it would damage the natural environment and was outside the Taunton settlement boundary. The developer submitted the same plans for the same number of homes in October 2020, but has subsequently reduced the number to 150. If a decision is not taken soon, the Congleton-based developer may lodge an appeal on the grounds of non-determination (i.e. the council failing to come to a decision within a reasonable amount of time)
23. Normandy Avenue, Watchet (139 homes): Grass Roots Planning was granted permission by Somerset West and Taunton Council in October 2019 to build 139 new homes on land either side of Normandy Avenue, at the south-eastern corner of Watchet. The site has been sold to Newport-based Edenstone Homes, who have put forward amended proposals for the same number of properties. The site straddles three agricultural fields either side of Normandy Avenue and Cherry Tree Way, a short distance from the Liddymore Park development of 250 homes being constructed by Summerfield Developments
24. B3081 Prestleigh Road, Evercreech (120 homes plus employment or community space): West Estates Development Ltd. has twice failed to obtain planning permission to build up to 120 new homes and a small amount of commercial space on the former Greencore factory site on the B3081 Prestleigh Road in Evercreech, near Shepton Mallet. Following the second refusal by Mendip District Council in July 2022, the Bristol-based developer lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate. A public inquiry into the matter will resume on January 10, with the inspector's ruling expected to be published in the spring
25. B3153 High Street, Keinton Mandeville (120 homes plus orchard and allotments): Keinton Mandeville LVA LLP has put forward outline plans for 120 new houses south of the B3153 High Street in Keinton Mandeville, located between Somerton and the busy A37 to Yeovil and Shepton Mallet. Following a consultation with local residents in November 2021, new plans have laid out how the new homes will be accessed, including a possible future link to the village hall on Chistles Lane. The development site comprises three fields south of the B3153, ending near the village hall and the existing Lakeview housing development constructed by Galion
26. B3092 The Mount, Frome (104 homes): David Wilson Homes put forward plans in early-2020 to build 249 homes across two sites either side of the B3092 The Mount in the Little Keyford area of the town. These plans were approved by Mendip District Council's planning board in February 2022. The developer has now submitted amended proposals which will reduce the number of homes in the western portion of the site, reducing the number of homes allocated for this location from 131 to 104
27. North End, Creech St. Michael (100 homes): Gladman Developments has been striving to secure permission for a new development at North End in Creech St. Michael, which is separated by the motorway from the Monkton Heathfield urban extension in Taunton. The Congleton-based developer was refused permission by Taunton Deane Borough Council to build 200 homes on the site in April 2018 – and Somerset Council turned down plans in August for 100 homes on the same site. The developer has now lodged an appeal on this latest refusal – with the Planning Inspectorate confirming a public inquiry will begin on January 9
28. B3167 Perry Street, South Chard (95 homes) The Crossman Group asked for residents' views in August 2021 over proposals for a new development planned for the eastern side of the B3167 Perry Street in Tatworth, a stone's throw from the Devon and Dorset borders. Following local feedback, formal plans for the new estate have been submitted by the Bath-based developer, with the number of homes being slightly reduced to 95. Somerset Council decision to refuse the plans in June was swiftly met with an appeal, with a public inquiry scheduled for early-2024
29. Mayfair Close, Bridgwater (90 homes): Hallam Land Management and Persimmon Homes Severn Valley were given outline planning permission in July 2020 to deliver 2,000 homes between the A39 Bath Road and the Bristol to Exeter railway line – along with 1,200 sq m of retail space, leisure facilities, a new primary school and other facilities. Numerous sections of the development site have already been built out, including 53 homes near the Morrisons distribution centre. This site concerns a strip of land near the M5 south of the Willow Man sculpture, with the number of homes planned being reduced from 98 down to 90 following consultation with planning officers
30. Hartnells Farm, A3259 Yallands Hill, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton (90 homes): Persimmon Homes South West is currently constructing the Hartnells Farm housing development on the A3259 Monkton Heathfield Road, at the northern edge of the Monkton Heathfield urban extension. The development will eventually comprise a total of 320 homes, with outline planning permission being granted by Taunton Deane Borough Council in November 2015. The Exeter-based development has now submitted proposals for the final 90 homes (dubbed 'phase four') – with Somerset Council expected to make a decision on the plans early in the new year
31. A39 Long Cross, Nether Stowey (83 homes plus retail outlet): F. & G. Jeanes & Sons Ltd. has applied to build 83 homes and a retail out north of the A39 Long Cross in Nether Stowey. The company, which is registered in the neighbouring village of Cannington, believes that developing the land would add a sustainable extension to the village and add to its existing character. The site lies on the northern edge of the Quantock Hills national landscape (formerly area of outstanding natural beauty, or AONB), on the main road between Bridgwater and Minehead
32. Former BMI complex, A371 Cumnock Road, Castle Cary (81 homes): Castle Cary (BMI) Ltd applied in mid-2018 to redevelop the former BMI complex on the A371 Cumnock Road in Castle Cary to deliver 81 new homes for the town. South Somerset District Council's area east committee voted to refuse the plans in July 2019 – a decision which was subsequently upheld by the Planning Inspectorate in December 2020 following a public inquiry. But following a successful high court challenge, a second public inquiry was instituted – which has been repeatedly delayed as a result of the phosphates crisis
33. Packsaddle Way, Frome (74 homes plus children's home): Packsaddle Fields, which lies at Frome's northern edge, was acquired by Somerset County Council since 1973 and was originally earmarked for a new school. The council announced in March 2022 that it was selling the land off, entering into an agreement with housing association LiveWest to deliver up to 90 new homes on the fields north of Packsaddle Way. These plans have been criticised by the pressure group People for Packsaddle (PfP), with the number of homes being slightly reduced ahead of a decision by the council's planning committee east
34. A358 Furnham Road, Chard (67 homes): Greenslade Taylor Hunt held an online consultation in August regarding these proposals for up to 67 new homes between the A358 Furnham Road and Chaffcombe Lane. The plans will involve demolishing the current buildings at Welcome Home Farm to deliver the development – with space being left for the northernmost section of the long-planned eastern relief road (ERR). The site is allocated within the South Somerset Local Plan and lies to the north of the proposed site of a new 66-bed care home, which would have its separate access onto Furnham Road
35. A358 Furnham Road, Chard (66-bed care home): LNT Care Developments submitted plans in March 2022 for a care home between the A358 Furnham Road and Chaffcombe Lane, at Chard's northern edge. Access to the site would be from Furnham Road, just south of the existing junction with Thorndun Park Drive – which will serve the access road to an approved new development of 295 homes and a new stadium for Chard Town Football Club. The proposed care home will have 66 beds, arranged over two storeys, and will create the equivalent of 52 full-time jobs
36. A39 Hopcott Road, Minehead (60 homes): Andrew Townsend submitted revised plans in June for 60 homes on Hopcott Road, having secured outline planning permission from Somerset West and Taunton Council in September 2021. The site lies between the junctions with Cher and Hopcott Close, on the main road leading to Porlock and the Exmoor National Park. An existing farm track opposite the junction with Cher will not be used, with a new access road being installed to the west and ending near the telecommunications mast
37. Tintinhull Road, Yeovil (60 homes): Gladman Developments and the Somerset Community Foundation have put forward joint plans for 60 new homes on Tintinhull Road, between the Brimsmore Garden Centre and the Yeovil Gospel Hall. The planned development site lies to the west of a previously approved Gladman development of 185 homes, with the two sites being separated by Coppits Hill Lane. A new access road onto Tintinhull Road will serve the planned new development of 60 homes – which will be opposite the eastern edge of the Brimsmore key site, where Wyatt Homes has permission to deliver more than 900 new homes, along with a new primary school, sports pitches and other community facilities
38. Cricketer Farm, A39 Cannington Road, Nether Stowey (58 homes):  Strongvox Homes is currently constructing the Cricketer Farm development north of the A39 Cannington Road in Nether Stowey, on the northern edge of the Quantock Hills. The initial development comprises 109 homes, with 16 being affordable as a result of a £1.5m grant from Homes England and £180,000 to offset the impact of the Hinkley Point C construction programme. The Taunton-based developer has now applied to expand this development with a further 58 homes to the north
39. North Villas, Cotford St. Luke (52 homes): S. Notato Ltd. has applied to build 52 new homes immediately to the north of Dene Barton Community Hospital in the village of Cotford St. Luke. The site lies on the eastern side of North Villas between the community hospital and the existing homes on Luscombe Road. Following the successful appeal on the Dene Road site (comprising 80 homes and a takeaway), this site may be more likely to be approved – whether by councillors or planning inspectors
40. Townsend Farm, A357 Stalbridge Road, Henstridge (52 homes): Macra Ltd. applied in July to build 52 homes on the eastern side of the A357 Stalbridge Road – close to the Townsend Landings development of 130 homes which will be delivered by Barratt David Wilson Homes. The proposed development lies behind Townsend Farm on the eastern side of the main road, before it narrows to a passing point near Townsend Cottage. Access will be from Stalbridge Road, with two pedestrian access points being provided onto Southmead Road and The Mead
41. Orchard Grove (Comeytrowe Urban Extension), A38 Wellington Road, Taunton (51 homes):  Numerous parcels of land within the site have already been built out within the 'western neighbourhood' of the Orchard Grove site. The developer has now submitted plans for 51 further homes at the north-eastern corner, near a recently-approved parcel of 70 properties. This is one of the last parcels which currently has phosphate mitigation in place – meaning the delivery of new homes could slow in the not-too-distant future
42. A30 East Street, Crewkerne (50 homes plus 75-space car park): South Somerset District Council tried for the best part of a decade to deliver a new public car park on the Millers Garage site, located off the A30 East Street in Crewkerne. Having purchased the site in late-2014 for £225,000, the council spent years trying to bring forward proposals for the car park, which would link up to the existing car parking near the Henhayes Centre. Under new proposals by the Stonewater housing association, a total of 50 low-cost homes would be built on the Millers Garage site, with a 75-space car park and associated pedestrian and cycle links being implemented
43. Church Street, Merriott (50 homes): South Somerset District Council granted outline permission in February 2020 for 50 homes to be built on the south side of Church Street in Merriott, which lies between Crewkerne and the A303. Merriott LVA LLP, which is based in Sherborne over the border in Dorset, submitted revised proposals in April for the same number of houses. The site lies at the north-western edge of Merriott, a short drive from the ARK Egwood community project and a stone's throw from the Stonewater development of 39 homes on Shiremoor Hill
44. Broadway Hill, Horton (49 homes): Glastonbury-based developer Galion has submitted these plans for a new housing development on Broadway Hill in Horton, near Ilminster. The new homes will be built at the western end of the small village, with the new homes being just over a quarter of a mile from the A303, just west of the Southfields roundabout. Following Somerset Council's refusal of the plans in late-May, the developer has now put forward revised proposals with a marginally amended layout
45. Cavalla Mews, Berrow (49 homes): Notaro New Homes Ltd. published proposals in October to build 49 new houses to the east of the Berrow Gardens housing development on Cavalla Mews, just around the corner from Berrow Church of England Primary School. The Bridgwater-based developer has promised that 20 out of the 49 new homes proposed for this agricultural site will be affordable if approval is granted. The new homes will be concentrated towards the northern end of the site, with two access points being provided – one onto Cavanna Mews, the other onto Campoline Drive
46. Gyspy Lane, Wells (47 homes): Wells LVA LLP and Little Burcott Ltd. have put forward outline proposals for 47 homes between Elm Close and Gypsy Lane.  The proposed development would be built between Gypsy Lane and an approved development of 100 homes from Gladman Developments,. A new access would be created on Elm Close, with the public right of way which separates the site from the Gladman development being maintained, providing a safe route to Burcott Lane
47. Loadpool Farm, A372 New Road, Othery (46 homes plus convenience store or post office): South West Strategic Developments published proposals in September to build 46 new homes on the Loadpool Farm site, located on the A372 New Road on the edge of Othery, between Bridgwater and Langport.The plans are intended to meet the need for housing in the village and could also include either a new shop or the reopening of an existing unit within the settlement. Othery has no land allocated for future housing growth within the Sedgemoor Local Plan, leaving it vulnerable to opportunistic developers
48. B3152 South Street, Castle Cary (46 homes): Castle Cary has seen significant housing growth over the last decade, with numerous large developments being approved between the town centre and the town's railway station, which lies in the neighbouring parish of Ansford. These latest proposals, put forward by Castle Cary LVA LLP, envision the creation of 46 homes on the B3152 South Street at the southern entrance of the town. The development will be sandwiched between the existing homes on Cockhill Elm Lane and the town's cemetery, with pedestrian access being provided onto the former to link up with the Macmillan Way long-distance footpath
49. High Street, Sparkford (45 homes plus 60-bed care home): Waddeton Park Ltd has submitted a planning application for this nine-hectare site, located off the A359 close to the Sparkford A303 services, which includes a popular McDonald's restaurant and drive-thru. This is one of around 50 major developments which has been held up by the phosphates crisis
50. West Camel Road, Queen Camel (43 homes): This proposed development wraps around existing homes on West Camel Road and is within walking distance of Countess Gytha Primary School. The land owned beyond the development extends far beyond the school on the other side of the road – meaning this could be the first phase of a major expansion of this village not far from the A303. With the dualling of the A303 currently under way, construction of these homes will have to be carefully timed if approval is granted to minimise disruption to motorists.