Unavoidable' potholes spark concern at busy Tavistock Tesco junction
Dozens of residents have highlighted concerns about the condition of a key A386 junction in Tavistock, as road users report uneven surfaces, potholes and recurring drainage issues
Concerns have been raised on social media due to growing safety fears and the deteriorating condition of a busy Tavistock road.
Motorists using the A386 Plymouth Road near Tesco and Travis Perkins have highlighted the “massive trenches” in the tarmac that are reportedly forcing cars to swerve into the middle of the road to avoid damage.
Dozens of residents have backed the complaints with the author of the original post stating the junction has been left in an “absolutely horrendous” state for far too long, despite being officially reported.
The worst of the damage is concentrated directly in the flow of traffic, leaving motorists with few options to avoid it.
Drivers exiting Tavistock towards Plymouth have to drive straight over the broken tarmac, while shoppers turning right out of the Tesco entrance towards the town centre face the same unavoidable damage.
The Moorlander visited the site to inspect the damage and spoke to an employee at the nearby Tesco store.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, they confirmed that the junction has been an ongoing issue for staff and shoppers alike.
The staff member told The Moorlander that the potholes on the approach road were “awful”, adding “they’re unavoidable, it's literally impossible to avoid them”.
They said the condition of the surface had been “bad as long as I can remember” and described the issue as “never-ending”.
The workers' concerns match a wave of frustration building online, where many location residents have shared similar experiences.
Writing in a local community group, one resident said: "It's absolutely horrendous pulling out and turning right and equally as bad carrying on past the junction leaving Tavistock."
Another commented: "It's becoming a hazard as it's pushing cars into the junction to avoid the massive trenches in the tarmac."
Motorcyclists were among those commenting on the issue, with one resident describing the location as "worse on a motorcycle".
Other contributors highlighted what they described as drainage problems at the junction, claiming heavy rainfall can leave standing water on the road.
Another resident said: "It’s even worse when it rains and there's a big puddle on the junction too."
Several people also said they had reported the issue to the highways authority.
A number of residents have referred to highway works that are due to take place later this month.
According to information published by Devon County Council, highway improvement works are scheduled on the A386 in Tavistock between 21 June and 4 July.
The works are due to include carriageway patching, sign cleaning, vegetation clearance and hedge trimming.
The published information states that a section of the A386 Plymouth Road between Anderton Lane and Glenville Drive will be closed overnight on 21 June to allow patching works to take place.
It has not yet been confirmed whether the works will specifically address the defects highlighted by residents at the Tesco junction.
Devon County Council has been approached by The Moorlander for comment regarding when repairs are scheduled for the A386 Plymouth Road stretch.