A main road through Wiltshire has been closed to motorists until spring 2025 to allow essential repairs to be carried out.

The A36 Warminster Road between Monkton Combe and Limpley Stoke on the Wiltshire and Somerset border closed from 9pm on Sunday, November 10.

The closure will enable National Highways contractors to carry out safety improvement works for the next few months.

These will include stabilising the southbound embankment following cracking in the footpath alongside the road.

Hugh Campbell, National Highways’ senior project manager, said the full closure would allow the scheme to be completed "safely and quickly, causing less disruption overall."

“Once it's all complete, these improvements will benefit road users and the local community for many years to come," he said.

The road has been closed until March 2025The A36 has been closed on the Wiltshire/Somerset border until March 2025 (Image: National Highways) National Highways added: “The next phase of work will include piling and drainage improvements to the carriageway.

“We continue to work closely with Bath and North East Somerset Council, Somerset Council, and Wiltshire Council, and are keeping all stakeholders, including local MPS and local communities, informed and updated. 

“We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we carry out this essential work. 

“We would remind drivers to plan their journeys, stick to the signed diversion routes and to avoid following sat navs through unsuitable and narrow local roads. 

“Our work is currently still on track to complete in the spring.”

Diversions have been reintroduced for the duration of the work which will also involve new drainage and netting installed on rocks above the northbound carriageway.

The main road connecting Bath and Southampton was last closed for nine weeks from August 12, after cracks were discovered in the footpath between Limpley Stoke viaduct and the village of Limpley Stoke.

The road was temporarily reopened for 24 days in October and the first week of November to allow essential works to take place on the A350 and M4.

The closure of Lower Stoke to southbound traffic at its junction with the B3108 was also reinstated from 7am on Monday, November 11.

The arrangements will be the same as they were before the lifting of the restriction. This arrangement will be in place now until March 2025.

National Highways is planning to trial a new arrangement at the junctions of Midford Lane and Church Lane with the A36.