Roadworks due to get underway at Starcross

Essential road maintenance will start on the A379 at Starcross next week (Monday 19 June).

The three-week scheme will be carried out in three phases and includes resurfacing, drainage work and replacement of kerbs and manhole covers.

Work will start with five nights of night-time work from 7pm until 11:59pm on the evenings of Monday 19 June until Friday 23 June, when the A379 will be closed from the Atmospheric Railway public house to the junction with New Road. The road will be open during the daytime and at the weekend.

From Monday 26 June to Friday 30 June, work will switch to the daytime from 8am to 6pm when the A379 will be closed from New Road junction in Starcross to the area just by the lower New Road junction. This work has to be completed during the daytime due to its proximity to the rail line. The road will be open outside of these times and at the weekend.

From Monday 3 July until Thursday 6 July, work will revert to night-time with the A379 closed from 7pm until 11:59pm between the lower New Road junction outside of Starcross village to the area by the bus stop at the junction with Church Road.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “This scheme is a high priority for the County Council, so I'm delighted to see work is now due to get underway. A lot of planning has gone into this scheme, with early involvement from the contractor and liaising closely with Network Rail, and every effort is being made to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.”

Councillor Alan Connett, County Councillor for Exminster and Haldon, said: "Although there will be several weeks of disruption in Starcross, the resurfacing has been long-waited for and I am delighted the project is now able to go ahead. This is a busy road and the A379 is the local holiday highway to the beach, so getting the resurfacing completed before the school summer holidays will also be appreciated. I am grateful to the Devon County Council team and contractors for the preliminary work they have done to be able to start in Starcross on the 19th."

During all of the closures, a signed diversion route will be in place via the A379, A381, A380, A38 and back to the A379. Devon County Council will only promote the official diversion route but drivers with local knowledge may find their own alternatives.

For information visit the scheme webpage.