A temporary one-way system is being introduced in Kingsbridge town centre to help ease traffic flow while work continues to install a new culvert in Fore Street.
Work on the scheme is ongoing, and the old culvert and collapsed stonework has now been totally removed.
Sections of the new culvert have started to arrive on site, and the first section should be installed soon.
This new culvert will filter down towards Ilbert Road, where one lane will have to be temporarily closed for the safety of the workforce and the public. This will also allow pumped water to be safely removed from the culvert site.
This temporary closure will take effect from Saturday 2 May, and a temporary one-way system will be in place to minimise traffic disruption until the scheme has been completed.
Motorists wishing to use the A379 from Plymouth direction will filter down Fore Street into Duncombe Street, Belle Vue Road, Church Street, Bridge Road and out as normal towards West Charleton, Chillington and Stokenham.
Those travelling from West Charleton, Chillington and Stokenham direction will still be able to use Ilbert Road as normal to join the A381 towards Salcombe or A379 Cookworthy Road.
The one-way system will be signed for road users and buses will follow this route.
Devon County Council Leader Councillor Julian Brazil said:
“No one wants this, but the emergency works have got to be done. Our priority is to support the town and its businesses. The free car parking and now this new one-way regime will mitigate the issues. Having said that, we know we need to get the works completed as soon as possible. That’s what we all want.”
Excavation work has unearthed some interesting historical finds with at least two structures of the “Kings Bridge”. Both have been left in position and documented for the Town Council, the museum and future generations of Kingsbridge residents.
Pottery dating back centuries has also been found, including a broken wine vessel for a wine and spirit merchant from the town, another piece of a bottle top, and two large pieces of ceramics.
Kingsbridge’s town centre car parks run by South Hams District Council continue to be free to use after 2pm each day to try and encourage more people into the town while these essential repairs are carried out.