A lorry delivering stone to repair a Somerset Levels road became stranded after sinking into soft ground beside it — months after another heavy vehicle suffered a similar fate. The Heidelberg Materials vehicle got stuck on Butleigh Drove near Street on Wednesday, 21 October, and remained there overnight.

A specialist recovery company removed it the following morning. Somerset Council said the vehicle's owner arranged the recovery, but did not confirm whether there had been any cost to taxpayers.

The incident happened during resurfacing work on the narrow road, which runs from the outskirts of Street towards Nythe. The council says the route was prioritised because it had been closed for a significant period.

Anthony Lipmann photographed the stranded lorry and questioned the decision to spend money rebuilding the road. He argued that its low traffic levels and the soft ground beneath it made the work difficult to justify.

In May, a lorry belonging to Stabilised Pavements became stuck on the same road after sinking and tilting at an angle of about 45 degrees. Mr Lipmann said the latest incident was unsurprising given the peat beneath the route.

He said: "This is a road used by a maximum of two to three vehicles per day, most of which involve tractors and farm vehicles; it would not appear to have been a prime candidate for the council's diminishing funds.

"The area is classified as deep peat, being 30-50cm of soft organic matter built up over the last 300-500 years.

"Peat is more than 50 per cent organic material, and is by its nature soft. It is not meant to be the substructure of a highway for today's monster tractors, but is better suited to the horse and carts of yore."

Mr Lipmann also questioned whether the repairs were connected to proposals for a larger solar farm nearby. Somerset Council rejected that suggestion, saying the work was being undertaken because of the prolonged road closure.

Elgin Energy was refused permission in 2024 for a solar farm between Nythe Road and Redlands Farmhouse. Amended plans were submitted in July 2025, but no final decision has been made.

The council said the Heidelberg Materials lorry was delivering stone for its resurfacing scheme. Its roadworks information lists work on Butleigh Drove continuing until Thursday, 29 October.

A council spokesperson said: "Heidelberg is one of our partner contractors, and it was delivering stone for the resurfacing scheme.

"The vehicle was there from late-Wednesday afternoon (October 21) and was recovered on Thursday morning (October 22) by a specialist recovery company arranged by the owner.

"We have a duty to maintain the highway and this road has been closed for some time, so was identified as a priority for repair. Stabilisation is also required as part of the work.

"The scheme was prioritised for the sole reason that the road has been closed for a significant period of time."

Original report: Daniel Mumby, LDRS

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