Update to road closures around Newton Abbot

Essential utility work which was due to start on the A383 in Newton Abbot this week has now been moved and re-scheduled.

Following on-going talks Devon County Council have had with Teignbridge District Council and developer Bloor Homes it has been agreed that the initial work to install utility services to the Houghton Barton housing development will instead be routed via Chercombe Valley Road, starting today (Monday, 3rd November).

Temporary traffic lights will be needed on Chercombe Valley Road for nine weeks while work is carried out, leaving the A383 Ashburton Road clear in the run-up to Christmas.

Bloor Homes will then carry out work on the A383 from February for around 30 weeks following the implementation of a series of mitigation measures. That’s a considerable reduction from the original 50 weeks that had been planned.

These mitigation measures have been agreed to minimise the impact of the work. The contractor working for Bloor Homes will ensure:

• They will work extended hours and have additional staff on site to reduce the number of days on the highway;
• Where possible they will work on verges and pavements rather than the road;
• Temporary traffic lights will be manually controlled and work will be managed to reduce the need for three-way traffic lights which adds to delays and impacts side roads;
• All utility services are included to prevent the need to return at a later date for further installations.

Planning permission has been granted for 1,100 homes at Houghton Barton, which is a strategic development site in Teignbridge District Council’s Local Plan. Utility connections to the homes have to be installed along Ashburton Road, and pausing the development would jeopardise the Council’s statutory housing delivery targets.

Devon County Council issue around 50,000 permits a year to give permission for work on the highway. Not every application is approved but they have to balance work that needs to happen while minimising the impact on people’s everyday lives.

Teignbridge District Councillor Gary Taylor, Executive Member for Planning and Building Control, said: 

“We appreciate that these essential utility works are happening at a time when other roadworks are already affecting the area. Our officers have been working closely and proactively with Devon County Council and Bloor Homes to ensure every effort is made to minimise disruption. The measures we’ve put in place are designed to help reduce the duration of the works and lessen the impact on local businesses and residents.”

A spokesperson for Bloor Homes said: 

“We’ve been working very closely with both Teignbridge District Council and Devon County Council to find a solution that minimises disruption for local residents and businesses, whilst still allowing this essential work to come forward. We very much appreciate the constructive partnership we have with both councils and we’re grateful for the positive way in which everyone has worked together. By agreeing this revised programme, we can keep the A383 open over the busy festive period and get on with the works that will allow much-needed homes at Houghton Barton to be delivered. We’re committed to working considerately and will ensure we keep the local community informed as the project progresses.”