SOUTH West Water hope to reopen Exhibition Road in Crediton on Wednesday, January 21, following the burst water main which saw thousands of gallons of water spray into the air until it could be repaired.

A temporary repair was used on the pipe after the incident on January 12 and the permanent repair followed.

Fencing and barriers around the hole in the road at Exhibition Road. AQ 2512
Fencing and barriers around the hole in the road at Exhibition Road. AQ 2512 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The A3072 has been closed since that time and is still in place.

There is pedestrian access past the route near the entrance to Cromwells Meadow.

More permanent barriers and fencing have been put around the large hole which still remains uncovered since January 12.

Contractors are due to re-fill the hole at the start of the week after which the section of road is due to be resurfaced.

The repaired water main which burst in Exhibition Road. AQ 2514
The repaired water main which burst in Exhibition Road. AQ 2514 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Number plate camera recognition cameras are in operation at the scene for the purposes of employee safety and wellbeing.

Signs warning about the cameras are in place at each side of the area.

Water spraying from the burst water main in Exhibition Road. AQ 2359
Water spraying from the burst water main in Exhibition Road on January 12. AQ 2359 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Devon Highways deferred works which would have required the closure of the A3072 for two days, January 14 and 15 due to the SWW works on Exhibition Road.

In a statement Devon Highways said on January 14: “Due to South West Water works on Exhibition Road in Crediton underway between January 12 to 16, Devon Highways plan to defer investigation works on the A3072 Road from Braddon Corner to Chilton Gate, Cadbury, to reduce the impact on the local community.

“The works planned for January 14 and 15 will now be rescheduled and we will confirm new dates in due course.”