Essential drainage repairs needed in Barrack Road
Barrack Road in Exeter will be closed to traffic between the Topsham Road and Wonford Road junctions for essential drainage repairs and associated works, for three weeks from Monday 27 January.
At the same time, resurfacing and other improvement work at the entrance to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Barrack Road, as well as daytime surface patching between Wonford Road and Haldon View Terrace, will also be carried out under traffic light management.
The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital says services will continue as normal, but is advising patients and visitors to allow more time for their journeys.
Plans for all the work have been agreed between the Council, the RD&E Hospital, emergency services and bus companies.
Access for residents and emergency vehicles will be maintained throughout the period of the work.
South West Highways engineers will be installing new drainage gullies and replacing old ones no longer serviceable between Barrack Road’s junctions with Topsham Road and Wonford Road.
Engineers will also use the opportunity to install drop kerbs along the section of road for improved cycle and wheelchair access.
Diversions will be in place between Monday 27 January and Friday 14 February.
Visitors to the hospital from Topsham Road will be diverted via Western Way, Heavitree Road, and Barrack Road, while another diversion will take visitors via Middlemoor, Honiton Road, Fore Street and Barrack Road.
The hospital’s patient transport service will also be making adjustments to travel times and making sure that patients are aware of any changes.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highway Maintenance, said:
“These are essential improvements to the drainage that would otherwise cause need for more considerable repairs later if not carried out now.
“Sections of the existing drainage need replacing to work effectively.
“At the same time, patching and some resurfacing at the hospital entrance will improve the quality of the road surface. This has been planned with the hospital to minimise any disruption for visitors to the site.”
Operations Director Pete Adey, says that normal access to the RD&E sites will be maintained at all times. “It will be business as usual at the RD&E during this work,” he said.
“For staff and visitors to Wonford hospital, we are asking them to allow at least 30 minutes extra so that they arrive in good time for things like visiting hours and appointments.”
James Searle, Operations Locality Manager for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“As with previous works in and around the Exeter area, the ambulance service is working closely with Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and South West Highways. Throughout the period of works, we will assess potential impacts and reduce risks as far as possible. It is always our aim to reach all our patients in an appropriate timeframe based on their clinical need.
“South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust routinely moves its resources across the geographical area based on demand levels together any intelligence we have relating to issues such as this. We will keep this under constant review.”
