THERE is good news from Copplestone Parish Council that it has been informed that the A377 road closure in its parish will reopen from 7pm tonight.

The road has been shut from Shirley Corner to Knowle Cross since Monday, November 3 to enable Kier to install a new water source on behalf of South West Water.

The road closure was due to finish on Friday, November 7 but it appears that works will be completed early.

Copplestone Parish Council said: “We have spoken to (Devon) Highways and the news is that the A377 at Knowle Cross will be reopening this evening at 7pm.”

Asked if this is permanently, the reply was: “That is our understanding, yes.”

The road closure on the A377 near Copplestone. AQ 7177
The road closure on the A377 near Copplestone. AQ 7177 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

There has been chaos and gridlock on local roads while the A377 has been closed.

Many local residents have spent long spells stuck in small country lanes unable to move due to oncoming traffic.

One local resident said last night after his children were stuck in lanes for long periods trying to drive home: “The A377 is the principal route between Exeter and Barnstaple.

“It should have been glaringly obvious to any competent authority that closing that road without putting in place a fully signed, properly managed diversion route, taking into account local conditions, would lead to the chaos we have seen over the last 48 hours.

“It should have been obvious, that all the local roads are used by large agricultural vehicles, HGV's delivering to farms and businesses, tankers taking away milk etc, as well as local residents who cannot just 'go somewhere else.'

“Other than the A377 all of these roads are narrow with passing places for opposing traffic. Diverting traffic off the A377 onto these narrow lanes will inevitably cause problems.

“The residents of Copplestone, New Buildings, Morchard Bishop etc cannot be expected to drive around the A30 to get to and from their homes and work.

“Failing to put in place proper diversion routes, with appropriate management which deal with the conflict between large vehicles, local traffic and traffic diverted off the A377 is very poor planning.”