Exclusive by Alan Quick

MOTORISTS in the Crediton area are likely to be in for a month of misery from January 15, when the A377 will close to traffic for at least four weeks.

Emergency road repairs are to be carried out by Devon County Council contractors along a stretch of road between Queen Elizabeth Drive and Barnstaple Cross - works which will require the complete closure of the road between Crediton and Barnstaple Cross.

ROAD CRACKED

Devon County Councillor Mrs Margaret Squires explained: “There is a problem on the A377 at Chapel Downs – the hedge has slipped away and the road is cracked.

“The official diversion is a long one as it needs to be roads of an equivalent grade.

“We all know that local people will find their own way and that will probably mean Jockey Hill, Upper Deck and Barnstaple Cross or through New Buildings and Morchard Bishop for that side of the A377.

“The roads on the other side of the A377 are equally not suitable for the extra traffic.

“Originally Devon engineers were talking of closing the road for a longer period but they have reconsidered and are now looking for a four-week closure, weather permitting, from January 15.”

Mrs Squires along with Crediton County Councillor Nick Way as well as other councillors from the area recently met with Devon County Council engineers to discuss signage and diversion routes and other mitigation that needed discussion and put in place before the work commences.

ROAD EDGE UNSTABLE

Adam Baldwin, from the Bridges and Structures department at Devon County Council recently confirmed: “Following the identification of cracking to the road edge, we believe that the road edge has become unstable and there is potential for the road to fail entirely.

“As a result, we propose to construct an engineered embankment with dwarf wall at the toe in order to stabilise the bank.

“We are planning to commence these works on January 15, for four weeks whilst under a road closure.

“This is likely to be a tight time frame, however we would aim to complete the main bulk of the works within the four weeks at the very least.

“Road closure notification signs will be erected on site a minimum of one week prior to January 15.

“The contractor undertaking the works will be MacPlant Construction Ltd, who are very familiar with the construction of embankment/wall stabilisation schemes.”

Bus and lorry transport companies have been informed of the pending road closure.

The official diversion route will be via the A3072 to De Bathe Cross, North Tawton to Whiddon Down and joining the A30.

Enquiries about the road closure will be via the telephone number 0345 156 1004.

JOCKEY HILL

Local residents fear that pedestrians lives will be put at risk at the roundabout at the bottom of Jockey Hill where the road joins Blagdon, where, on one side, the pavement is just six inches wide, meaning pedestrians, those with pushchairs and mobility scooters already have to compete with traffic.

The properties on both sides of the road at the location are listed buildings.

Traffic lights has been one of the options suggested for the location since the building of the Crediton Link Road has increased traffic at the junction significantly.

ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN

Local residents have said that with such a narrow pavement, the area is now “an accident waiting to happen”.

In 1975 a bus lost its brakes travelling down Jockey Hill and crashed into Palace Cottage at the bottom of Jockey Hill, resulting in injuries to many passengers.

However, very little road improvements have taken place at the junction, in fact the opposite, traffic has increased dramatically.

Other areas of concern as traffic uses alternative and insufficient minor roads in the area include Upper Deck, where it is too narrow for two vehicles to pass in a number of locations.

Some road junctions have also been highlighted as problem areas.

It is hoped that Crediton traders will not lose business as a result of the loss of traffic through Crediton High Street during the month-long period.

Already traffic lights have been in operation at Chapel Downs where the road is subsiding for many weeks.

• Are you concerned about the A377 road closure for a month from January 15? Why not share your views with fellow “Crediton Courier” readers?

Write a letter, suitable for publication, with your name, address and a daytime telephone number (not necessarily for publication) to: The Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF.

Alternatively, email your letter, with the required information, to: [email protected] .