A NEW cycle route in Yeovil that the local council pledged would be built within five weeks still isn’t finished four months on.

Somerset Council announced in mid-September 2023 that it would be delivering a new cycle route along Lyde Road on the town’s eastern edge, initially stretching between Sandringham Road and Camborne Street, near Yeovil Pen Mill railway station.

The council originally estimated that the work would take “about five weeks to complete”, meaning the project would be open to cyclists and pedestrians by the end of October 2023.

But as of Wednesday (January 10), the route remains unfinished – with no date set for the next phase along a larger stretch of Lyde Road.

The council had stated in late-November 2023 that it would be aiming to finish the route by Christmas, stating that progress had been delayed by utilities companies carrying out work on the same stretch of road.

Somerset County Gazette: The scheme was announced by the unitary authority in September.The scheme was announced by the unitary authority in September. (Image: Daniel Mumby)

A spokesman stated at the time: “Unfortunately, the team experienced a number of unexpected complications involving utility connections, and in addition had to vacate the site in October to allow for other essential utility works to take place.”

Workmen subsequently returned on site on Wednesday (January 10), with the council admitting it had been “unable to book road space” before Christmas to finish the job.

A spokesman said: “The work will be completed as soon as possible, but we cannot give a precise date due to the numerous variables involved.

“Our contractor was unable to book road space before Christmas and they’ve just been waiting for utilities to vacate this week so they can get back on.

“We don’t have a date for the next phase yet.”

The route will eventually cover the entire length of Lyde Road, with the second phase intending to run as far as the Great Mead roundabout, which forms the entrance to the Wyndham Park housing estate.

An additional short section of cycle path at the northern end of Lyde Road could be delivered as part of an upgrade of the junction with the A359 Mudford Road, funded by Barratt Homes.

The council has not confirmed the overall cost of the Lyde Road cycle project.

However, it has stated that the delayed delivery of the remaining phase will be carried out at no additional cost to taxpayers.