RESIDENTS and businesses in the Tedburn St Mary and Fordton area of Crediton are breathing a sigh of relief after the Highways Agency was told to re-open the Fingle Glen Junction gap it closed on the A30 using temporary orders in October 2007.
The Highways Agency said safety reasons were behind the closure but local residents objected and took the decision to a Public Inquiry.
The Inquiry, with Inspector, Neil Taylor, was held at Tedburn St Mary Village Hall for a week in September 2008.
Objectors also said the closure raised safety concerns because emergency vehicles serving the village of Tedburn St Mary took longer to get there (proved with a recent house fire).
The Highways Agency began work to re-instate the Fingle Glen Junction gap on Wednesday, April 1.