Action taken after nightmare first day of Devon roadworks
Highways officers have met police and contractors after calls for action to tackle huge delays faced by motorists in Torbay. Drivers heading from Paignton towards Brixham were stuck for hours in long queues on Monday due to roadworks at Windy Corner.
Traders feared the town was being "cut off" and complained about the 'absolute chaos' caused by temporary traffic lights. Drone footage showed a line of traffic snaking back more than a mile towards the Lidl supermarket.
One driver slammed the "inept traffic planning" while another said Brixham would not be able to cope with a paralysed road network after a difficult summer for the town caused by the cryptosporidium outbreak in the water supply.
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Torbay Council has responded with new measures which it says should help motorists. But they have told drivers to allow more time for their journeys. The work, connected to a new housing development, is expected to last until Christmas.
A spokesperson for Torbay Council said: “Our highways team has been working with the contractor and the police to improve traffic flows through the Windy Corner junction, following long delays faced by motorists on Monday.
"We understand how frustrating it is to be sitting in traffic due to roadworks. After a meeting on Tuesday between our highways team, the police and the contractor, further changes have been made to the temporary lights and signs to improve the flows. This seems to be having a positive effect.
"To minimise disruption, the temporary lights are staffed at all times from 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday to monitor traffic flows and make changes as needed. There is never a good time for roadworks, and our highways team is continuing to work with the contractor and the police to make improvements where possible."
The council says it understands it is not always possible for people to make changes to their routine. Emergency services will be able to get where they need to without extra delay.
The spokesperson added: "The temporary lights are needed to ensure the safety of the workforce and all road users. Unfortunately, traffic flows are slower through temporary lights than the permanent lights, but the ongoing management is taking place to minimise disruption."
Windy Corner is the junction of the A3022 Brixham Road and A379 Dartmouth Road. The work is connected to the Inglewood development off Brixham Road. The scheme is part of a programme of improvements on Brixham Road to widen junctions and increase traffic flows because of the housing development.
This is the third and final phase of work. Developer Persimmon has appointed Roadform Ltd to carry out the works.
You can see more information including plans of the traffic management and diversion route on the council website: Inglewood and Brixham road updates - Torbay Council