A30 closed again after bus fire

The aftermath of the fire
-Credit:National Highways


A section of the A30 in Devon and close to the Cornwall border is closed for a second night running tonight as the road requires emergency work to resurface it following Saturday night’s bus fire.

A bus was completely burned out on the eastbound section of the A30 between Launceston and Sourton Down on Saturday evening, which prompted long delays for drivers in both directions, and detours for those heading east from Cornwall into Devon.

The road eventually reopened, with the eastbound dual carriageway restricted to one lane past the scene of the fire for all of Sunday because the blistering heat of the blaze completely wrecked the road surface.

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Tonight, National Highways contractors are resurfacing the carriageway to reopen both lanes in time for Monday morning’s rush hour - but that means the whole road is closed again eastbound.

The damaged carriageway following the fire on the A30
The damaged carriageway following the fire on the A30 -Credit:National Highways

The diversion from Saturday night is back in place again this evening, with drivers heading past Launceston on the A30 into Devon directed off the dual carriageway at the Liftondown exit. They should then turn right onto the A388 and follow that road all the way through Lifton, Sprytown, Portgate, Lewdown, Bidlake and Bridestowe, which will bring them to the junction with the A386 near Sourton Down, where they can get back onto the A30 and continue eastwards.

“National Highways service providers are on scene carrying out the resurfacing works,” said a spokesperson, who warned that the diversion route is not signposted.

Image of the aftermath of a fire on the A30 eastbound in Devon
Image of the aftermath of a fire on the A30 eastbound in Devon -Credit:Tavistock Police/X

“If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey,” they added.