Crediton A377 and Wellparks Hill to reopen fully this afternoon

WITHIN the next few hours motorists will be pleased to hear that iCivils, the contractor working on the A377 resurfacing in the town, will be reopening fully the A377, the Tesco roundabout and Wellparks Hill.

Crediton County Councillor Jim Cairney went along this morning with Crediton District Councillor John Downes, to thank the contractors and Buko, the vehicle traffic and safety company, for their hard work in recent weeks, which has now resulted in Phase 1 of the project being completed two weeks earlier than planned.

Jim, who has worked closely with the contractors and Buko, said: “I am really pleased that they were able to complete the works early, the final lines painted on the roads this morning.

“The fact that they have completed this early is good news in the fact that not only will the road be open but also it means that they will be able to start Phase 2 next week, two weeks earlier than scheduled.

“I know that the tarmac not setting due to the incredibly high temperatures we have seen lately caused a few issues and prevented the night-time reopening but fortunately it was able to set and the lines are now down.

“I would also like to thank iCivils for cutting back the pavement hedge and removing earth which had fallen onto the pavement between the Tesco roundabout, along the front of Tarka View to the Asda Express Petrol Station in Exeter Road.”

Jim explained that this work took three days and has now improved the route for pedestrians and those with pushchairs, etc.

Jim said he was pleased with the high quality finish of the works by the South West based company.

He added thanks to Aaron Waddell, manager of Buko, for his work to bring Phase 1 to an early completion.

Jim added that the reason why the works were required to the roundabout was that the area around the roundabout had been completed in concrete, which had begun breaking up and has had now been replaced with coloured tarmac.

The final work before the reopening of the roads and roundabout this afternoon Jim said was cleaning the drains along the route.

Steve Palfrey, lead operative for the works, said that he had received a number of positive comments from motorists and pedestrians, some saying they had not been disrupted by the works in any way.

Rick Dare, site foreman for iCivils, said that when works on Phase 2 begin, access to Redlands would be from Joseph Locke Way.

All other traffic will be required to use the A377 and at the Tesco roundabout, controlled access with traffic lights would be provided into Tesco, Mole Avon and McDonalds.

Phase 2, the works to the north of Joseph Locke Way, between the A377 roundabout and the entrance to Tesco store were due to start on July 27 and end on August 28 but this will now start two weeks earlier and hopefully finish earlier.

Councillor John Downes, who led and negotiated the installation of a bus shelter opposite Redlands Surgery, thanked the contractors for agreeing to install the shelter as part of Phase 2.

Phase 3 (August 31 to October 23) includes works to re-surface Joseph Locke Way, but this date could be brought forward, as could the finish date.

• Along Joseph Locke Way, 2 or 3 way lights will be moved to encompass work as it progresses.

The works include resurfacing the A377, footpaths and kerb remedials.

If you have specific questions or concerns, iCivils and Devon County Council will help - DCC 0345 155 1004 or iCivils 01392 466801.