Overnight closures on Ashburton Road in Newton Abbot

Overnight closures are needed on Ashburton Road in Newton Abbot this month while preparatory work is carried out in advance of path improvements.

The northern footpath is due to be widened in order to improve pedestrian and cycle links between new housing developments and the town centre.

Night time closures are needed to enable the clearance of a number of trees, west of Barton Drive, before the bird nesting season starts. The main scheme to widen the northern footpath will follow later in the year.

The A383 Ashburton Road will be closed between its junctions with Elmwood Avenue and Barton Drive from 6:30pm to midnight between Monday 5 February and Friday 16 February. The road will remain open at the weekend.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “This is a vital scheme to make it possible for people to make short journeys on foot or by bike. For the safety of the travelling public and staff working on site the road needs to be closed while this work is carried out. The work has been timed this way to keep disruption to both road users and local residents to a minimum.”

Councillor Jackie Hook, Devon County Councillor for Newton Abbot North, said: “These works are an essential part of the creation of this much needed and supported shared use cycle/pedestrian route which will help residents along the route cycle and walk safely to schools and the town. If we are to tackle congestion in the town, facilities such as this are crucial. The works are largely paid for by contributions from housing developers at Hele Park. While any road closure is unfortunately going to result in some inconvenience, it is hoped that this is minimised by the evening only closure.”

During the closures a signed diversion will be in place via Ashburton Road (east), A382 to Drumbridges, unclassified road through Bickington, A383 Ashburton Road and vice versa.

The work is part of 1.2km of shared path improvements along Ashburton Road, between Greenaway Road and Mile End Road. Work on the section from Greenaway Road to Exeter Road was completed in 2014.

For more information go to https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/traffic-information/transport...