by Alan Quick

MOTORISTS and residents of Crediton will be delighted to hear that works on a major stabilisation scheme on the A377 at Chapel Downs on the outskirts of Crediton were completed last night, Thursday, February 8.

Devon County Council confirmed at the beginning of the month that the work on the scheme was progressing well.

The essential repairs and reconstruction work started in mid January on a 30-metre stretch, between Queen Elizabeth Drive and Higher Road, where the edge of the road was cracking due to an unstable embankment.

The scheme was scheduled to be completed by February 12.

Highway drainage has been replaced, a retaining wall constructed, the road resurfaced and a fence erected along the stretch of road where the hedge had also given away or been removed.

The road closure caused great disruption and inconvenience to many motorists and many people did not use the official diversion route via Copplestone, Whiddon Down, A30 to Exeter, Cowley Bridge to Crediton.

Instead they used Higher Road and Jockey Hill and Blagdon or George Hill, which frequently caused long tailbacks on unsuitable roads.

An articulated lorry became seriously stuck at the bottom of Jockey Hill on one occasion.

POTHOLES

On other occasions lorries meeting each other travelling in different directions in narrow sections of Higher Road also caused issues.

Potholes were quick to develop on Higher Road and George Hill and many claims have been submitted to Devon County Council after vehicles hit potholes and vehicles and tyres were damaged.

The road edge was seriously worn away along Higher Road in some areas and deep potholes developed.

Some vehicles were also damaged and cones were placed along the road edge to warn motorists.

HIGHER ROAD REPAIRS

Overnight of Thursday, February 8 and this morning, Friday, February 9, Devon County Council contractor gangs were filling in potholes and road edges.

The road remained open to traffic but warning signs said that there was a wait for motorists of about 15 minutes while works took place.

Stagecoach buses travelled via George Hill during the road closure, along with a great deal of other traffic, which resulted in severe wear to the road surface and potholes.

On a number of local roads temporary 30mph restrictions were put in place.

Macplant Construction carried out the road works on the A377.

RELIEF FOR TRADERS

Residents of properties along Higher Road, Blagdon, Jockey Hill and other areas said that they found it difficult to sleep some nights due to the noisy night-time traffic.

Many residents and motorists will be relieved that the road has been re-opened, as will traders in the town.

Road users are advised that they should drive according to conditions and obey road restrictions, taking extra caution at busy times.