Flood relief and engineering works planned for South Devon Link Road in December

A series of flood relief and engineering works will cause travel disruptions around the Christmas holiday period as part of the South Devon Link Road project. 

Residents of Kingskerswell and Newton Abbot, along with rail users, are being informed well in advance about the construction plans to enable them to make any arrangements if appropriate.  

Contractor Galliford Try is due to take possession of the railway at the accommodation bridge on Torquay Road, Newton Abbot, and Aller Orchard, Langford and Manor Drive, Kingskerswell between 25th and 29th December 2013 to undertake major construction and demolition work.

The work will entail demolition of the bridge and excavation of three new culverts. As a result, there is likely to be a significant increase in the level of construction noise during this time due to the machinery being used to undertake the work. Given the need to complete the works as soon as possible, some operations will continue for short periods overnight while trains are not running.

The works have been planned after extensive consultation with Torbay Council, Devon County Council, Network Rail and environmental consultants AAe. A formal approval from Teignbridge District Council has been sought.
In addition to the dates listed above, preparatory works will commence in November 2013 along with associated works completed early in 2014.

The bridge demolition and one of the culverts will affect the main line and therefore has to be carried out on 25th and 26th December when trains do not run.  The other works will be on the Torbay branch line.  There will be no trains running to/from Torre and Newton Abbot on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th December 2013, however replacement bus services will be provided by Network Rail

Galliford Try is undertaking a number of measures to mitigate impacts on the community including erecting acoustic barriers to reduce the level of noise experienced by residents.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth at Devon County Council, said: “The construction of the South Devon Link Road is a major complex project and some level of disruption of this size is inevitable – however, this is a one off event and we are doing our best to give people plenty of notice so they can make alternative plans if they wish.”

Gordon Oliver, Mayor of Torbay, said: “Once complete, the road will offer significant benefits to the whole area and this short-term disturbance will bring long-term gain.”

Jim Watson, Project Director at Galliford Try, said: “We understand that this construction work may disrupt residents and rail travellers around the Christmas period, but this is an essential part of the flood relief programme and the construction of the South Devon Link Road.

“We are working hard to give sufficient notice of the timeline of works to affected residents and we will be introducing a number of measures to reduce the levels of disturbance and noise where possible.”