Road Maintenance
A377 Alphington Road - Highway Improvements
Update 9 March 2012 - Widening Works Set to Commence
The first phase of the A377 Alphington Road improvements between the Haven Banks and Marsh Barton junctions is now drawing to a close.
The road has been resurfaced, problematic gullies repaired, cycle lanes added on carriageway and a number of footpaths resurfaced. The works have been completed on time and we would like to thank local residents for their patience.
The second phase of the project, which involves widening the existing carriageway 
(303KB - pdf help) between the Marsh Barton and Alphington Cross junctions, is set to start on the 19 March and should be completed within 13 weeks subject to no unforeseen delays. In order to widen the road in this location it will be necessary to divert a water main, a number of fibre optic cables and an electricity supply.
To allow the widening works to take place, the existing pedestrian crossing will be temporarily taken out of service and a pedestrian diversion route will be put in place via the existing signal controlled crossings at either end of the works (Alphington Cross and Marsh Barton Junction). When the works are complete, the pedestrian crossing will be available for use once more.
Towards the end of the work, this section of road will be closed for approximately 5 nights in order to carry out the final resurfacing works. During these nights, a signed diversion route will be in place via Marsh Barton and the recently built Grace Road Link.
Once complete, the widening scheme will provide two lanes outbound between the Marsh Barton and Alphington Cross junctions which will help to reduce outbound congestion with resultant air quality improvements along the Alphington Road corridor.
Update - 20 February 2012
Works on Alphington Road have been progressing well. Since the scheme started South West Water's contractor has repaired a number of sewer collapses either by excavating to expose the pipe or by lining the pipe from the inside.
The highway works have also been continuing, in the most part this has included replacing kerbing, repairing gullys that were blocked and replacing worn manhole covers in preparation for resurfacing which will commence this week.
Scheme Summary
Devon County Council will be carrying out the planned highway improvement work along Alphington Road from 30 January 2012. The improvement works will provide a new road surface between the Haven Road and Marsh Barton Road junctions and eventually an additional outbound traffic lane between the Marsh Barton Road and Alphington Cross Junctions.
Haven Road to Marsh Barton Road junction – Carriageway Reconstruction and Resurfacing
This work will commence on the 30 January for a period of approximately 6 weeks and will be undertaken by Devon County Council’s contractor Mildren Construction.
The work will primarily involve resurfacing the existing carriageway and undertaking deeper reconstruction where the surface is particularly poor. In places the existing carriageway will be milled out to a depth of 300mm before replacing with new asphalt material. In addition, we will improve footpath surfaces and take the opportunity to upgrade the existing pedestrian crossings close to Willeys Avenue and Sydney Road. Where necessary, we will replace manhole covers, adjust kerbs and install new gullies.
In order to improve the surface of the footpath it will be necessary to remove the Callery Pear tree outside Le Roy Funeral Services. This tree will be replaced a shortly afterwards with some new trees, although due to the number of pipes and cables in the footpath the replacement trees will be replanted elsewhere along the route.
South West Water are also taking the opportunity to undertake a number of repairs that were identified during the drainage survey work in November 2011.
Due to the high volume of traffic on Alphington Road most of the work will be carried out in the evenings when traffic volumes are lower. During these evenings our contractor may use temporary traffic lights in order to work on the carriageway however, approximately 20 night time road closures will be required in order to complete the works whilst ensuring the safety of the workforce. These road closures will begin at 7pm and will have a signed diversion route via Cowick Street/Cowick Lane. The exact dates of the road closure will be shown on information boards at either end of the works.
In order to balance the need to undertake the work as efficiently as possible with the least disturbance to neighbouring residents, our contractor will endeavour to complete the noisiest work by 11pm. However unforeseen circumstances may require work to continue through the night in order to complete the operation.
During the road closures, the bollards between Ebrington Road and Retail Park Close will be temporarily removed to allow access to nearby homes. We would ask residents to bear with us during this time and to use the alternative accesses provided.
| Area | Alternative Access |
|---|---|
| Princes St/Regents St area | Cowick St |
| Ebrington Road area | Emergency access in Retail Park Close via Marsh Barton Road |
Access will be maintained through the road closure only to addresses with no alternative route, although depending upon the exact location and nature of the work being carried out, delays to access may occur. If it is necessary for you to drive through the closed road please be aware that there will be machinery, lorries and workmen in the road who may be unaware of your presence, therefore speed should be kept below 10mph at all times. Access will be made available to the emergency services at all times if required.
Illustrative plans of this scheme are available below:
- Resurfacing Plan - Fortescue Rd to Marsh Barton Rd (202KB - pdf help)
- Resurfacing Plan - Sydney Rd to Fortescue Rd (79KB - pdf help)
- Resurfacing Plan - Haven Rd to Sydney Rd (90KB - pdf help)
Marsh Barton Road junction to Alphington Cross – Carriageway Widening
Devon County Council also has plans to widen the existing carriageway between the Marsh Barton Road and Alphington Cross junctions, in order to provide an additional outbound traffic lane. This additional lane would improve the operation of the Marsh Barton Road junction, reducing outbound congestion and thereby improving air quality along the corridor.
Land negotiations are ongoing and so we are currently unable to give a start date for this section of the scheme. However, once underway, the works are expected to take around 12 weeks to complete.
As part of this work, we will also be building a shared footpath/cycleway on the same side as the filling station and improving the footpath adjacent to Devon Cottage, on the opposite side of the road. Once the widening work has been completed, this section of the road will also be resurfaced.
Most of the widening work can be undertaken during the day, however during the work we will need to close the footpath on the eastern side of the road between the Marsh Barton and Alphington Cross junctions, diverting pedestrians onto the opposite side of the road. Once the widening work is finished, there will be 5 nights of road closures between the Marsh Barton Road and Alphington Cross junctions. During which time, a signed diversion route via the Marsh Barton Industrial Estate and Grace Road Link (the new road into the back of Sainsbury’s) would be in place.
The traffic bollards in Hatherleigh Road would be temporarily removed in order to provide access to Hatherleigh Road (East), Beaworthy Close and Winkleigh Close via Cowick Lane.
You can view a plan of the widening scheme here (303KB - pdf help)
Contact
If you need any further information about this scheme, please use the contact form. However if you query is urgent please use the contact number below:
Devon County Council: 0845 155 1004
