THE reality of the road closure and traffic diversions hit traders and commuters hard on Monday, January 25, when South West Water began its four-week scheme to carry out essential repairs to the sewer system.

Traffic congestion built up in all of the expected areas, resulting in chaos in some areas, and shopkeepers and most businesses in the High Street area instantly saw a rapid decline in trade.

The queue of traffic at a bottleneck at Forches Cross built up to a mile-long as far as Barnstaple Cross during the early morning rush hour.

Diversions put in place to take traffic off the A377 took commuters through residential streets in the town and on some country lanes in the area.

Some of those using the diversions told the “Courier” that they had experienced long traffic delays travelling to and from Exeter.

Two way traffic at George Hill was described by Sabrena Philp on social media as a “nightmare”.

She added: “Meeting a double decker bus trying to come up the hill is not ideal!”

Dennis Cavanagh said the turn from Jockey Hill roundabout to Blagdon is “horrendous” and Paul Walker said: “It is going to be chaotic at peak times”, adding: “Chaos on Higher Lane”.

In addition to causing a headache for motorists on the first day, the traders were shocked to find that all of the High Street had been closed to traffic.

Alan Quick

SEE FULL STORY IN TODAY’S CREDITON COURIER ISSUE 1070