MAJOR repairs to the road through Fordton could be done at the end of March, the date still to be confirmed.

At last week’s Crediton Hamlets Parish Council meeting in Yeoford, Devon County Council member Nick Way said that, obviously, there would be disruption for residents.

He said the county council was employing a specialist contractor because it was “quite a complex job”.

Members said the diversion signs would need to be quite clear about what sort of vehicles could and could not get through.

Cllr Way commented that “it would be painful for everyone, there is no easy solution”.

Councillors commented on the number of lorries that had got stuck the last time the road was closed and that there needed to be signs at Tedburn St Mary warning of the road closure.

FLOODING

Still talking about roads, it was reported that the road near Venny Tedburn had been flooding during the past three years while Yeoford Chapel was another flooding blackspot.

It was also asked that a “thank you” was sent to the person who had cleared the road by the Chapel and the road at the Binneford sign post.

Cllr Way added that if people reported flooding on the county council website it would help.

Another letter of thanks was requested. This time to Network Rail and GWR for cleaning the waiting room on Yeoford railway station, tidying the books and bookcase. Members agreed it did now look lovely.

ASH DIEBACK

Cllr Way reported having spoken to Devon Highways about road subsidence at Venny Tedburn. He had been told that the area got a certain amount of “pot hole money” so, hopefully, something would be done there.

He also talked about ash die back and that 448,000 ash trees were within falling distance of a highway in Devon of which 99 per cent were the responsibility of private land owners. He said that more than 90 per cent of ash trees in the county were likely to be infected.

He added that landowners had a duty to manage trees on their land and take appropriate action to minimise risks to public safety from diseased trees.

He said there was the website: devonashdiedback.org.uk to find out more and get advice and support.