Exclusive by Alan Quick

IT will be business as usual for Crediton High Street shops - despite a month-long road closure starting at the end of this month - and shoppers are being urged to make a particular effort to support them.

South West Water will be carrying out major works to replace collapsing sewage pipes and while the work takes place, diversions will be put in place while the A377 is closed.

The work is due to start on Monday, January 25 and will run until Sunday, February 21.

Tara Conabeare, chairman, Crediton Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is important for everyone to know that the High Street will still be open for business and will still be fully accessible for shoppers, they just won’t be able to drive up or down Crediton High Street while SWW complete the works.

“Traders will really need the support of their customers during this difficult time to help keep the businesses going.

“There will be some one-way diversions in place and it could be difficult for motorists but Devon County Council is doing the best it can to sort out the traffic situation.”

Mrs Conabeare, who runs Evans Newsagents in Crediton High Street, made the comments following a heated meeting of local traders, as well as local councillors, held on Wednesday of this week.

It was arranged by Crediton Town Council and Crediton Chamber of Commerce and included representatives from South West Water, Devon County Council Highways department, from a range of Crediton High Street businesses, as well as Crediton Town Councillors.

Previously the works were scheduled for a 14-week programme but thanks to Devon County Council, the works have been condensed to four weeks from January 25 and two preceding Sundays.

During some of this period, there will be works for the scheme in Charlotte Street and Western Road, but it was emphasised that these works will be completed using traffic lights and the roads would remain open.

Steve Tucker, the county council highways officer for the area, explained details of the temporary road restrictions and one-way traffic systems which would be in place during the period.

He said that Higher Road would be one-way from Barnstaple Cross to Forches Cross.

It would also be one-way in Alexandra Road (eastbound closure) and on the road from Westwood to Bear Farm, road from Uton Barton to Beare Farm (Westwood to Uton Barton) and Uton (northbound closure).

The Stagecoach website has full details of the road closure and full details about the road closure can be read in the “Crediton Courier” on Friday.