A NEWTON Abbot councillor says she will continue pressing Devon County Council to address residents' concerns over traffic disruption caused by the ongoing closure of Howton Lane.

Cllr Jacqueline Fry (Newton Abbot North, Reform UK) has been in discussions with the authority following complaints from residents affected by the diversion routes put in place during highway improvement works linked to the Houghton Barton development.

Howton Lane is currently closed to through traffic between its junction with the A383 Ashburton Road and Farleigh Cottages until late September while the improvements are carried out.

A signed diversion route remains in operation throughout the project.

Cllr Fry says contractor Champion Groundworks have been asked to install advisory 20mph signs on the Seale Hayne diversion route in response to concerns about speeding.

Additional signs have also been erected on Howton Road to discourage through traffic, while further signage is being considered following feedback from local residents.

Highways and the developer are also monitoring signage after reports that some signs have been removed or damaged; the installation of CCTV near the new link road entrance is among the options being explored.

Among the issues raised with Cllr Fry by residents is a proposal to introduce a temporary one-way system on Howton Road while the closure remains in place.

Highways has acknowledged this and discussions are ongoing, though no decision has yet been taken.

Officials have warned that making the route one-way could encourage more motorists to use it as a diversion, increasing traffic through the residential area.

Highways said it recognised residents' concerns over traffic volumes, speeding, driver behaviour, congestion and the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

While introducing a mandatory temporary 20mph speed limit is considered unlikely because of legal and enforcement requirements, officers say the situation will continue to be monitored.

Work on the new Howton Road alignment is said to be progressing well, with recent ground investigations returning favourable results.

From around August, the diversion route is expected to move from the current northern route via Bickington and Liverton to a southern diversion using the A383 Ashburton Road and A382 Bovey Tracey Road before reconnecting with Staplehill Road.

Cllr Fry thanked residents who had contacted her with photographs, videos and feedback documenting the impact of the works.

She said: ‘Thank you to everyone who has contacted me and provided photographs, videos and feedback.

‘This evidence has helped me demonstrate the real impact these works are having on residents.

‘I will continue to press Highways on your behalf and work to ensure your concerns remain a priority until a satisfactory resolution is found’.