Barnstaple has been hit by major traffic disruption because of road works, with locals reporting delays of up to three hours. Concerns were raised after a fire engine was seen struggling to get through congestion while responding to a 999 call.
The disruption was caused when road closures were placed on August 24 on Bickington Road and Sticklepath Hill, where Wales & West Utilities is carrying out gas pipe upgrades. According to Wales & West Utilities, the closure is due to remain until November 8.
The congestion caused locals to miss appointments, be stuck on buses for long periods, and spend hours queuing in and out of town.
Paul Upfold was stuck in the traffic on August 23 and witnessed a fire engine struggle to get through. He said: "I’ve watched a fire engine trying to respond to a 999 emergency call and struggling to get through the traffic. That’s not just frustrating — it could potentially cost someone precious time when every second matters."
"I understand that roadworks and closures are sometimes necessary, but surely there has to be a better way of managing them."
Cllr Frank Biederman for Fremington and Yelland described the traffic on the roads in Barnstaple as a "nightmare". He said he and Cllr Caroine Leaver are challenging the council and Wales & West to "look urgently at what mitigation measures can be put in place to ease the situation".
Cllr Biederman continued: "Today was also made worse by a number of other incidents, but the level of congestion we have seen, with some bus journeys taking around three hours and people missing appointments, simply isn’t
Barnstaple Gas Works Disrupt Traffic and Emergency Response