Published: April 25, 2008
Disruption caused by A38 closure in Highbridge will run into next week

Residents and firms in Highbridge are set to suffer more disruption after the County Council announced on Friday (April 25th) that the A38 besides the fire-struck Highbridge Hotel will remain closed into next week.

Somerset County Council spokesman Robert Booth told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Friday: "The A38 will remain closed until at least after the weekend due to the former hotel being structurally unsound."

A huge fire swept through the property on Tuesday evening, destroying a large section of the building.

The disruptive road closure is causing problems for residents in the town, with some needing to take long detours to do simple shopping trips. Businesses have also seen a big turn-down in custom.

Highbridge councillor Cllr Joe Leach, who lives on the Bridgwater side of the hotel, said he and nearby residents' lives have been turned upside down this week.

"We are currently having to take long detours around Huntspill in order to do what used to be quick shopping trips into Highbridge. It's very disruptive."

"The closure is causing a lot more disruption than the county council think. Businesses and shops in the town have also been hit hard because the Walrow railway bridge is also still closed. We all want a swift end."