MOTORISTS face lengthy delays and residents are struggling to leave their own driveways as HGVs continue to use Coach Road during a major Newton Abbot road closure.

One driver, who regularly travels between Abbotskerswell and Newton Abbot, told the Mid-Devon Advertiser it took them 45 minutes to get home via Coach Road on the morning of Monday, November 2.

‘This happens every single time there is a closure’, they said.

‘There were two lorries blocking one another, one of the drivers was getting fairly agitated - it is just horrendous’, they added.

Coach Road
Coach Road in recent days (MDA)

A resident of Coach Road also described the impact of the disruption, saying that getting out of their driveway had become ‘impossible’.

They said: ‘My son went out to the Sainsbury’s Local to buy some food, it took him the best part of 30 minutes’.

The resident questioned why HGV drivers were continuing to use the road despite warning signs being in place for years.

‘The signs saying the road is unsuitable for HGVs have been in place for years, but I think many HGV drivers are ignoring the signs, perhaps because of the lengthy detour’, they said.

The disruption comes as Wolborough Street is closed between the Asda junction and Steppes Meadow, near the entrance to Bakers Park.

Devon County Council confirmed the closure, which came into force on October 26 and is expected to last until November 6, was necessary to allow high-voltage electricity ducts to be installed as part of infrastructure works linked to the extension of HMP Channings Wood.

As the closure affects the A381, a signed diversion directs motorists towards Totnes on the A382, before joining the A385 towards Paignton and the A380 back towards Newton Abbot. The route operates in reverse for traffic travelling in the opposite direction.

The diversion is more than 30 miles long, with Devon County Council saying equivalent A-roads were necessary.

However, concerns have been raised about HGVs not using the diversion and instead travelling along Coach Road.

Councillor Jacqueline Fry (Newton Abbot North, Reform UK) said she has been contacted by a number of residents who were ‘extremely concerned’ about the ongoing disruption caused by HGVs and other large vehicles using the road.

She said residents have reported significant congestion, vehicles becoming stuck and difficulties accessing their properties.

‘Coach Road is a narrow residential route, and the increased number of large lorries is having considerable impact on those who live there’, Cllr Fry said.

Cllr Fry added that, as Coach Road falls within Cllr Mick Cockerham’s ward, (Newton Abbot South) she has passed on the information, photographs and concerns she had received to him to raise the matter Devon Highways.

A Devon County Council spokesperson said: ‘Wolborough Street is undergoing a pre-planned closure for the installation of essential electrical infrastructure.

‘Unfortunately, some road users are choosing to divert onto local roads, such as Coach Road, which are not on the agreed signed diversion route.

‘To meet the required like-for-like standard of the closed road, the approved and signed diversion is via the A381, A380, A385 to the A381.

‘To help mitigate the disruption on Coach Road, parking has been prohibited and a mandatory width restriction recently introduced’.