SOUTH West Water (SWW) has released more information about the forthcoming road closures in Crediton High Street, as exclusively revealed in the Crediton Courier on December 4.

SWW says it will be renovating sewers in the town to improve the service to residents.

It says the £320,000 scheme to improve Crediton’s sewer network will start on Monday, January 25, and result in the closure of A377, Crediton High Street, for approximately four weeks.

Crediton High Street will be closed to through traffic from the Duke of York public house at the west end of the High Street to North Street at the east end of the High Street.

SWW says pedestrian access will be maintained to the shops.

For the two Sundays prior to the road closure (Sunday, January 17 and Sunday, January 24) SWW will be carrying out preparatory work under two-way traffic lights.

In addition to the A377, High Street works, SWW will also carry out other works.

These include: A377, Western Road, from February 14, for approximately one week, where there will be two-way traffic lights.

In addition there will be works in East Street/Charlotte Street, from January 25, for approximately one week, and these will also see two-way traffic lights in place.

SWW says the works will include reconstructing manhole chambers, installing new manhole chambers and lining or replacing damaged sections of pipe.

Project manager, James Howourth, said: “This is a real investment in Crediton’s future.

“Without this necessary work the sewer network will continue to deteriorate. That can lead to collapses – which cause pollution, flooding and odour.

“We will be working hard to minimise disruption to the public and businesses as far as possible while completing these essential improvements.”

Devon County Council is seeing if other utility companies have work to do in the area that can be done during the same period, in order to minimise disruption.

Devon County Council is also talking to school transport operators, so that they can make alternative arrangements for the period.

The diversion routes for all vehicles, while the road is closed, will be:

A377 to Beers Hill (A3072) – A3072 to De Bathe Cross (A3124) – A3124 to Whiddon Down (A382) – A382 (Exeter Road) to A30 (Whiddon Down) - A30 (Whiddon Down) to Ide junction (A377) – Ide Junction to Exe Bridges (A377) - Exe Bridges to Cowley Bridge (A377) – Cowley Bridge to Crediton (A377).

While this “official” road closure is put in place, motorists might increasingly use local roads, including Higher Road, Jockey Hill and Crediton Link Road.

Some businesses in Crediton have said the road closure will have an adverse effect on trade while the works take place and others said it should have little impact.

• Will you be adversely affected by the four-week closure of Crediton High Street?

If you have a view, why not share it with fellow Courier readers?

Send a letter, suitable for publication, to the Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF or email: [email protected] .

Alan Quick