Highways teams prepared as more heavy rain forecast

Devon County Council’s highways teams are bracing themselves for the possibility of further issues on the county’s roads later this week, with another spell of heavy rain forecast.

Rain and strong winds on Friday and Saturday made it a busy weekend for the County Council, and there is more to come with a Yellow Weather Warning for rain issued by the Met Office for the whole region from 6am on Wednesday until 6am on Christmas Eve.

On Friday and over the weekend, flooding was reported on the A390 Gulworthy, A381 Abbotskerswell, A377 Umberleigh to Bishops Tawton, and A39 Horns Cross to Bideford.

Trees fell onto the B3172 between Beer and Seaton and A3052 Half Way House, and the A377 Copplestone was also partially blocked.

The road at Coryton, near Chillaton, was closed a couple of weeks ago due to concerns over the stability of the road - and part of the road slipped at the weekend.

Teams also responded to debris and mud on the A39 Shirwell and the
A381 Western Bypass Totnes was partially blocked.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “Our thanks must go to the highways teams for working so hard over the past few days to respond to calls where roads had been blocked or partially blocked. With a Yellow Weather Warning for more rain in place for this Wednesday, we could see further issues developing across the county as water levels remain high and the ground is already saturated. So we would again remind everyone to please take extra care if you are out and about.”

Devon County Council is reminding people of the following advice:

• Avoid overnight travel unless absolutely essential as roads will always be more hazardous at night with poorer visibility;
• Be alert to fallen trees and branches, particularly on minor roads where they may not have been reported;
• When the wind is at its peak, consider if your journey is really necessary, and be alert to weather warnings;
• Never drive through floodwater or swollen flowing water, you don’t know how deep it is. Find an alternative route;
• Allow additional time for your journey;
• Reduce your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front;
• Drive with care and according to the conditions.

For more information and travel advice from Devon County Council visit www.devon.gov.uk/winter_travel or for updates on Twitter follow @DevonAlert