A396 roadworks delay

Work to replace a safety barrier and road re-surfacing on the A396, north of Cove, Tiverton, will take 13 days longer than originally planned.

Following a review by contractors,  it is predicted that the current full time road closure will remain in place until the 24th March 2016.

The reason for the delay is due to a short section of the river bank not being strong enough to support the proposed safety barrier (road restraint system).

Additional piles and a raft foundation have to be constructed and to do this the contractor must drill through very challenging ground conditions including rock.

A significant width of the highway has to be excavated to provide the raft foundation; this leaves insufficient room to allow traffic to pass safely.

Devon County Council has commissioned South West Highways Ltd to carry out this essential maintenance work.

Work crews have worked Saturdays since the start of the works and during the remainder of the closure they will be working seven days a week and extended hours during the day.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways said: “We are doing everything we can accelerate progress. The contractor has doubled the number of stone masons and is intending to bring in a second piling rig.
“On other sections of the project,  I am pleased to report that work has progressed to programme and in some areas work is ahead of schedule. Approximately half of the piles have already been drilled, 120m of new wall constructed and 360m of new vehicle restraint system installed.”

Cllr Polly Colthorpe, local County Councillor for Tiverton West said: “It is disappointing that the work is going to take longer than planned, but unfortunately we always new that this was a possibility.
“The contractors are doing everything they can and are working round the clock to complete the works as quickly and efficiently as possible.
"Potholes which may have appeared as a result of the increased traffic have also recently been repaired."

Signage will be updated to reflect these changes and the alternative route will continue to be swept twice a week during the closure.

A dedicated website has been set up to provide information for the public about the works https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/a396-at-cove