Road conditions improving but concerns ahead

Conditions are improving today across Devon's major road network, but highways engineers are concerned that sub zero temperatures later in the week will further compound damage to the network.

 

Highways teams have been out again early this morning, scouting the major road network, identify problems and clearing up.

 

In Barnstaple, the A377  has been  closed  due to flooding, as is the A399 due to a minor landslide.

 

The A396 at Cove is closed due to flooding. 

 

The A377, Exeter to Crediton is passable with care.

 

The B3227, Exeter to Bampton is closed due to flooding.

 

Harts Lane in Exeter is closed due to a landslip.  Ludwell Lane, Exeter and Ridgewell Road, Topsham, are also closed.

 

Western Way, Exeter, is currently open but may be closed later to allow for work to remove the large tree root-ball, that fell at the weekend.

 

In Newton Abbot, the main roads are open but there are reports of fallen trees and landslips.

 

The main road into Christow is closed, cutting the village off.

 

A landslip on the road at Combeinteignhead has also closed the main road.

 

Roads in Ivybridge are passable with care.

 

The B3213, Lydford to Ivybridge  has been closed due to flooding,  but is now passable.

 

And in Torrington, the A386 is passable with care.

 

Chris Cranston, Devon County Council's Highway Operations Control Centre Manager, says:

"We're targeting  most of the problems on the main road network today, before we're then able to look at making longer term repairs to areas damaged by the excessive rainfall and flooding.

 

"We're also prioritising communities, such as Christow, that have become  partially  cut off.

 

"And we're hoping to scout our minor road network for problems.

 

"But with frost expected from Tuesday night, we're concerned about road conditions.  

"Heavy leaf fall, wet road surfaces and ice will make driving conditions treacherous, and  running water will make salting  less effective.    "We're still advising caution, and reminding drivers not to drive into flood water; drive with caution; try to avoid driving after dark; and to stay up to date with weather and flood related news from the Environment Agency and Met Office."

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