Dartmoor B3212 closure confirmed as Devon council confirms dates and bus diversions

Devon County Council have confirmed further information regarding the major road stabilisation scheme due to begin on the B3212 between Dunsford and Doccombe early in the New Year.

The planned 18-week road closure, of which residents have previously raised concerns about disruption to travel, bus services and local businesses, will begin on Monday 5 January 2026, and will affect the section between Steps Bridge and Little Haytor Farm.

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The Moorlander previously reported on issues raised by locals, who noted this section of road has been subject to repeated closures in recent years. 

Devon County Council has confirmed that the road closure is expected to remain in place until late April.

One lane on this stretch of road has been closed since 2022 following a landslip, which caused part of the carriageway to slump and left it unsafe for normal use.

The council said extensive survey and design work has been carried out to develop a repair scheme, with planned works including stabilising the road, improving drainage and reinstating safety barriers.

Trees were removed from the site earlier this year, and a 12-tonne piling rig will be brought in at the start of the project to underpin the road structure.

Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways at Devon County Council, said the length of the closure reflects the complexity of the work.

“I appreciate an 18-week road closure is a long time, and we’re sorry that it will cause disruption, but this is an extremely complex job,” he said. “There’s a chance the road could be lost completely at some stage if this stabilisation scheme isn’t done.

“A lot of work has gone into the design of the scheme and because the road is in an environmentally sensitive area it’s not straightforward. We have needed permission from landowners for the large plant that will be needed on site, and due to its size there’s no choice but to close the road. Please bear with us.”

Councillor Richard Keeling, county councillor for Chudleigh and Teign Valley, said the works were necessary to improve safety.

“The essential works will make it safer to travel on this important stretch for local residents,” he said.

Traffic will be diverted via the B3212, Six Mile Hill, Farrant’s Hill, the B3193, the B3344, Le Molay-Littly Way, Station Road, Monks Way, the A382 through Bovey Tracey, Exeter Road and the same route in reverse.

The closure covers just over a kilometre of road between Westcott Lane and Toll Cottage at Doccombe. 

A Traffic Regulation Order allows the restriction to remain in place for up to 18 months as a contingency, although the council has said the anticipated completion date is Monday 27 April 2026.

Changes to local bus services have also been confirmed.

Through journeys on Country Bus service 359 between Exeter and Moretonhampstead will be diverted via the A30. Devon County Council has arranged a shuttle bus service, operating three times a day in each direction between Dunsford and Exeter via Longdown.

The works will be carried out by MacPlant on behalf of WSP, the contractor named on the Traffic Regulation Order.