A one-way system, in place to allow Wales and West Utilities to replace a gas main in the Sticklepath Hill and Bickington Road area of Barnstaple, has been reversed this afternoon, in an attempt to reduce congestion.
It follows reports yesterday of considerable congestion late afternoon, with drivers and bus passengers stuck in traffic.
The gas company is replacing gas mains along Sticklepath Hill and Bickington Road, with the work requiring a lane closure and one-way traffic system. The work is scheduled to finish mid-November, to clear the network for the Christmas shopping period.
We met this morning with Wales and West Utilities and bus operator Stagecoach to urgently review the current traffic management in place, and to discuss how to get traffic moving more easily.
We and Wales and West Utilities have agreed to reverse the current one-way system with immediate effect, to alleviate traffic congestion at key locations.
The changes allow traffic to travel from Barnstaple along Sticklepath Hill and Bickington Road to Cedars Roundabout. Bickington Road is now open between Cedars and Fremington. And there will be improved access for buses and two-way use of Sticklepath Hill.
Road users are asked to make use of filter lanes and make every attempt not to block roundabouts. Drivers are advised to follow the diversion signs in place, and to allow extra travel time.
Wales and West Utilities have apologised on social media this afternoon. They posted:
“We sincerely apologise for the impact on the local community, and thank the public, road users and the local bus services for their patience whilst we work to find a solution. We will continue to monitor the works as they progress.”
Councillor Dan Thomas, the council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for roads, said:
“Wales and West Utilities need to replace the gas mains along Bickington Road. We want to avoid as much as possible the reports we heard yesterday of people stuck for too long in their vehicles, or on public transport.
“Therefore, we have asked that the one-way system be reversed this afternoon. Our officers are also reviewing whether additional mitigations can be made to further improve access around Barnstaple.”
