Moretonhampstead businesses call for council transparency over A382 summer closure
Local traders and ‘vital community services’ in Moretonhampstead have united against Devon County Council’s plans to shut a major Dartmoor route for six weeks, with council officials citing environmental deadlines and school timetables for urgent roadworks
Businesses, community organisations, and care providers in Moretonhampstead have raised ‘severe’ concerns over plans to close a section of the A382 for six weeks this summer, warning of severe impacts on trade, local events, and essential services.
The business community is now calling on Devon County Council (DCC) to release its official Option Appraisal documents to prove why alternative traffic management methods, such as temporary traffic lights, a convoy escort system, or night-time shift working, were rejected.
They further allege that the council pushed the scheme through without local consultation, an Economic or Social Impact Assessment, or a transparently published Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Local traders warn that independent businesses “already financially drained” by previous projects “simply will not survive a third major disruption during peak summer.”
Kevin Chamberlain, speaking on behalf of the Moretonhampstead Business Community, said: “Our town has already taken a massive financial hit from the extended closure of the A382 into Newton Abbot and the closure of the B3212 to Exeter.
“We are running on fumes. Our Parish Council did everything they could to mediate and bring DCC to the table, but they were met with a complete brick wall.”
Devon County Council (DCC) confirmed that the A382 south of Moretonhampstead, between Pepperdon Hall Lane and Wray Barton, will be completely closed to all traffic from Monday 20 July to Friday 28 August 2026.
The total shutdown is required to undertake essential repairs to a deteriorating retaining wall supporting the road.
However, a coalition of local traders, community groups, and the Moretonhampstead Parish Council have launched a campaign urging the authority to reconsider the timing and traffic management of the project, claiming that formal attempts to find a compromise have hit a “complete brick wall.”
Campaigners point out that the six-week block falls entirely within the peak school summer holiday market, ‘cutting off the Dartmoor gateway town from South Devon visitors’.
This follows a string of recent roadworks that have already disrupted key links toward Newton Abbot and separate closures on the B3212 towards Exeter.
There are also fears for the viability of major regional events scheduled during the closure, including the Chagford Show (20 August), the Moretonhampstead Food Festival (22 August), and the Moretonhampstead Carnival (27 August).
Beyond the economic impact, the campaign highlights serious implications for local care provider NedCare.
The organisation warns that a total road closure will severely disrupt vital home care delivery to elderly and vulnerable residents in isolated rural pockets, forcing staff onto long, exhausting diversion routes that increase travel times and costs.
"This isn't just about tourism; it is about our community's survival," Mr Chamberlain added.
"Lifeline local charities like NedCare are going to find it incredibly difficult to reach vulnerable people who rely on daily care."
Campaigners also claim that requests for intervention from higher elected representatives, including county councillors and the local MP, have yielded little practical help, leaving the community feeling "abandoned."
When contacted for comment, Devon County Council told The Moorlander that a full closure is unavoidable due to the physical constraints of the site.
The council explained that its hands are tied regarding the summer timing due to strict Environment Agency regulations protecting the adjacent Wray Brook watercourse.
A council spokesperson said: "This situation is a lot more complicated than it might appear due to several factors that have an impact on timing.
“There's no question that the work, to carry out essential repairs to the retaining wall that supports the road, is needed as soon as possible.
“The wall's condition is deteriorating, meaning that the road is not fit for purpose."
The spokesperson added that fish spawning activity restricts the permissible working window to between 1 June and 30 September.
Executing the project in high summer also avoids clashing with school transport and the summer exam period.
Addressing the physical constraints of the route, the spokesperson added: "The road will have to close while work is done, it can't be done with traffic management, because the road's too narrow for vehicles to pass."
Acknowledging local frustration, the spokesperson concluded: "It's not an ideal situation, and we've met with and corresponded with the Parish Council about the work.
“We know that the Parish Council is concerned about the disruption to the town over popular summer months, and every effort will be made to complete the works as quickly and as efficiently as possible."
DCC confirmed it will also utilise the closure to carry out extra drainage improvements and resurfacing works along the length of the road between Wray Barton and Moretonhampstead.