THE demolition of The Cross Hotel in Copplestone is set to restart shortly after workmen finish putting up more scaffolding on Wednesday, July 16, Mid Devon District Council has said.

CCTV has also been installed at the site “after multiple breaches of the safety cordon”, the local authority added.

Work to knock down the crumbling former pub began on Monday, June 23 and was put on hold a week later for engineers to assess the building.

More scaffolding began to be erected on Monday, July 7. The demolition had been scheduled to restart on Monday, July 14, but has been delayed.

“Works are still expected to take four to five weeks to complete with the A377 reopening ASAP thereafter,” a Mid Devon District Council spokesperson said.

“For your own safety, please do not breach the safety cordon.”

Part of the A377, which works on a one-way system through the village, has been closed to all vehicles and pedestrians since Friday, April 4 due to fears The Cross Hotel could fall down.

The closure from Bassetts Bridge to Bewsley Hill, along with part of Bewsley Hill itself, has proved an inconvenience to many.

Moreover, temporary traffic lights on the open section of the A377 have led to long delays for motorists.

On Wednesday, April 23, Mid Devon District Council announced the owners had been given six weeks to demolish the former pub, make the site safe and allow nearby roads to reopen.

Then, on Friday, June 13, the council said it had given the owners more time and that it was “not possible” to say how long the A377 would stay shut.

But just 10 days later, on Monday, June 23, it confirmed initial demolition work had begun.

Businesses affected by the situation can contact Mid Devon District Council’s business rates team by telephoning 01884 255255 or emailing [email protected].

The Cross Hotel also forced a three-week closure of the A377 through Copplestone last August.