Stoke Fleming road closure "massively disruptive"

Dartmouth Road cordoned off unexpectedly

The closure of a major road in Stoke Fleming, due to a crumbling boundary wall, is likely to be “massively disruptive”, according to a local councillor. 

Devon County Council say it can’t confirm when the A379 Dartmouth Road will reopen, having been closed unexpectedly on Tuesday night after a large crack appeared in a five-metre boundary wall deemed dangerous. 

The wall, alongside the road, is privately owned by neighbouring residents who are working with the county council to make it safe. 

However, it will need to be taken down by hand before plans are drawn and technical approvals agreed ahead of it being rebuilt. 

South Hams Lib Dem councillor for Stokenham Ward, Julian Brazil, says there will be huge problems in the summer if action isn’t taken quickly. 

“It’s going to be massively disruptive,” he says.

“We can probably just about cope outside of holiday times but if it’s closed during the holiday season that is just going to be absolutely unbearable.”  

Cllr Brazil added that work may need to be done in two stages to keep traffic flowing. 

“It’s not a small job, but I’m hoping that what we can do is get some kind of temporary fix in there so that the road will be opened up by the summer holidays. 

“Once those are finished, we’ll close it again in October and do the complete work by then.” 

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highway management, said they had no choice but to close the road.

“Public safety is paramount and this stretch of the A379 had to be closed due to the risk presented by the crack in this high wall,” he said.  

“Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible as this closure will unfortunately lead to delays.”

Cllr Brazil accepts there will be delays but says everything should be done to resolve the problem quickly.  

As the wall is privately owned, it is the responsibility of the residents to pay for rebuilding work.  

However, if funding the work was a problem, Cllr Brazil says he would be happy for the county council to subsidise it, if permitted.  

“As a local councillor my priority is just get it open as soon as possible,” he says.

“So I appreciate there may be complications – but if they said, ‘if we have £50,000, we can open next week’ my view would be, well, spend it!” 

A signed diversion is in place via A379 Torcross, Kingsbridge, A381, and the A3122 Hemborough Post, A379 and vice versa.