Residents, traders and community organisations in Moretonhampstead fear that a planned six-week closure of the A382 will cause ‘catastrophic, irreversible damage’ to the town.

Devon County Council (DCC) has confirmed that the A382 will be completely shut to all traffic between Pepperdon Hall Lane and Wray Barton from July 20 to August 28

The closure is needed so that essential repairs can be carried out to the wall that supports the road.

Worried traders claim that this will effectively cut the town off from visitors coming from south Devon during the peak school summer holiday period.

It will also disrupt travel to events that bring thousands of visitors to the area, including the Chagford Show (20 August), the Moretonhampstead Food Festival (22 August), and the Moretonhampstead Carnival (27 August).

There are additional concerns about the delivery of care to elderly and vulnerable people in nearby rural communities. The Moretonhampstead-based health and social care provider NedCare said the necessary road diversions will dramatically increase its care workers’ travel times and costs.

Community campaigners against the closure have accused Devon County Council of not only cutting off a vital road link, but also blocking their attempts to negotiate alternative solutions, such as single-lane traffic signals with a convoy escort system, or night-time working.

Kevin Chamberlain from Wray Valley speaking on behalf of the Moretonhampstead Business Community, said:

“Our town has already taken a massive financial hit from the extended closure of the A382 into Newton Abbot and the closure of the B3212 to Exeter. We are running on fumes. Our Parish Council did everything they could to mediate and bring DCC to the table, but they were met with a complete brick wall.

“This isn't just about tourism; it is about our community's survival. Lifeline local charities like NedCare are going to find it incredibly difficult to reach vulnerable people who rely on daily care.

To completely shut the main route into town during the absolute peak of summer is a death sentence for independent traders and a major risk to our care network. We demand that DCC consider using temporary traffic lights or night shifts to keep our town moving.”

The group has launched a formal campaign to challenge the council's Highways Department, demanding the immediate release of the project's Op on Appraisal documents to prove why a convoy system was rejected.

Devon County Council said the full closure of the road is unavoidable because of the physical constraints of the site.

A spokesperson said the summer timing of the work was due to Environment Agency regulations protecting the Wray Brook watercourse – and the need to avoid clashing with school transport and the summer exam period.

They said: "This situation is a lot more complicated than it might appear due to several factors that have an impact on timing.

"The road will have to close while work is done - it can't be done with traffic management, because the road's too narrow for vehicles to pass.

"It's not an ideal situation, and we've met with and corresponded with the Parish Council about the work. We know that the Parish Council is concerned about the disruption to the town over popular summer months, and every effort will be made to complete the works as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

“While the road is closed, we’ll also improve drainage and resurface a length of the road between Wray Barton and Moretonhampstead.”