Repairs to the B3193 Teign Valley to begin

A programme of works to repair the B3193 in the Teign Valley near Chudleigh will begin early 2014 with the first road closure planned for Monday 13th January.

The closure will be for 5 days until Friday 17th January from 9:00am to 3:30pm.

The B3193 at Whetcombe Barton sustained major damage during last year’s flooding events as the county was left with an £18 million repair bill to its highway network.

Since August 2012, temporary traffic lights have been in place on the road, reducing it to one lane in order to protect the edge of this section of road, which has become unstable.

Last summer’s floods also caused movement and cracking of the surfacing on the stretch between Lyneham Wood and Lyneham Cottage.

Devon County Council has been working on a scheme to stabilise the embankments at both sites.

Following a public meeting in November, several local concerns came to light which highway engineers have taken into account to produce a revised programme. A second public meeting allowed residents to look at these proposals.

The original plan would have meant a 13 week road closure followed by another 7 weeks of work. However, the revised plan will mean 33 weeks of work, a single lane closure only with traffic lights and some short term road closures.

Proposals to widen the road at the same time will now not be included in these revised plans.

To allow the road to remain open, work will be undertaken from a 180m long scaffold placed on the river bank. Some short term closures will be necessary to allow delivery of materials and re-surfacing. These will be advertised 3 days in advance and be between 9am and 4pm or at night in the summer months. The next one is planned for March.

During road closures, the diversion route will be along the A38/B3212 for HGV's and non local traffic, however in icy conditions or snow, the closures will not be implemented. School buses and local transport will not be affected by planned closures and the one way system previously considered will not be used.

It is proposed work begins early in the New Year and be completed in Autumn 2014.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Maintenance and Flood Prevention, said:

“I am pleased the suggestions in the revised plans have met with approval. It was clear that a 13 week road closure would have caused great difficulties for the local community. Although this will see a longer period of work, we feel that the disruption will be to a lesser extent. The damage here was extensive and it is important we undertake this work in order to safeguard the B3193 in the longer term.”

Councillor Jerry Brook, Devon County Councillor for Chudleigh Rural, said:

"I am pleased we've been able to listen to residents' concerns and take on board what the local community said. Whilst the scheme will not now provide the road widening improvement, the main objective to maintain this vital link to the Valley community will be achieved hopefully with minimal disruption to the users of the highway."

An email has been set up for residents with any concerns or questions B3193whetcomberoadworks@devon.gov.uk