HENNOCK will be cut in half for two weeks while work is carried out on cable laying in the centre of the village by a telecommunications company.
The road between the Palk Arms and Butts Park is to be closed between February 26 and March 12. Only access to land or premises on or adjacent to the road will be allowed.
The signed diversion for drivers will be via Bell Lane to Chericombe, then to Bowden Lane, Lower Bowden to Furzeleigh Cross, Five Lanes Cross and Butts Park, and vice-versa. At Hennock Parish Council's monthly meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Lesley Whittaker said the detour was largely single-track. 'Tractors have trouble going down there as it is, let alone if traffic is going both ways. Insanity is the word that springs to mind,' she said.
Cllr Whittaker pointed out that everyone who drove to Hennock had to turn round by the Palk Arms and go back. 'I don't think they have been to Hennock because the route they have chosen is appalling,' she said. Vice-chairman Cllr Jim Hine said that for a lot of the way a large lorry could not pass a bicycle or a person.
'One of the major concerns would be how a fire engine or an ambulance would get through in an emergency. 'I would suggest one of their senior people takes a large box van on the route suggested,' he said. The clerk Gordon Haigh said from what he was told by Devon County Council he understood the company Fujitsu Telecommunications Ltd had consulted local people.
'I have made inquiries and I have no evidence of that. 'I was going to suggest that you write to the company and ask if they have thought about access for delivery vehicles, access to the school and the daily lorry from the reservoir,' said Mr Haigh.
He went on to add that it would be a good idea to meet representatives of the company on site. It was decided the county council representative Cllr Jerry Brook would contact county highways on the matter and that a request is made to the company to meet representatives of the parish council.