The closure of the A386 near Weare Giffard will continue for approximately four weeks while a permanent repair scheme is carried out.
The road was closed earlier this month when strong winds during Storm Goretti brought down several large trees on a section of the route between Beam Quarry and Beam House. The uprooted trees also caused a landslip, with mud and debris blocking the highway.
We’ve been working to reopen the road since Friday 9 January, with geotechnical engineers assessing the site.
While temporary measures were initially considered to reopen one lane of the road under traffic signals, designs for a permanent repair scheme have been drawn up and a contractor appointed to start work today (Monday 19 January).
Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, said:
“Our highways teams were weighing up a few options but it was decided that undertaking a permanent repair scheme now will minimise disruption and will also be more cost effective. Although the road is expected to be closed for a further four weeks, it will mean that road users won’t have to put up with temporary lights before closing the road again at a later date to carry out the work. We would ask people to please bear with us. Every effort is being made to carry out these essential repairs as quickly as possible, but hopefully everyone can see it makes sense to get this scheme completed under the current closure.”
The repairs will require the existing road closure to remain in place for around four weeks, to allow drilling machinery access to the sloped embankment to install the required debris netting. Signed diversions remain in place and the project team is considering additional traffic management options in Monkleigh.
Access to the Puffing Billy Café, Tarka Valley Railway, and Torrington Cycle Hire continue to be available from the south.
Highways teams have also been using the road closure to carry out additional routine maintenance work on the road, such as pothole repairs and gully emptying, to minimise future disruption.