PEOPLE power has ­prevented a road closure that would have caused misery and cost communities perhaps ­millions of pounds in extra fuel and lost trade.

Earlier this month Devon County Council told people living in the Teign Valley that the busy B3193 was in danger of falling into the river and had to be shut for repairs at Whetcombe Barton for a minimum of 13 weeks starting in January.

Residents have already ­tolerated temporary traffic lights there since August 2012.

The official diversion would have been via Exeter meaning some commuter routes more than doubling with no ­exceptions for cyclists, many of whom use the road.

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