Motorists are demanding answers to end traffic chaos caused by roadworks on a major route in South Devon. Wales & West Utilities is replacing gas mains in the Dartmouth Road area between Paignton and Brixham. Two-way traffic lights and road closures have been put in place. But drivers have reported gridlock and delays of up to an hour. One called the situation 'disgusting', another 'a joke', while others highlighted poor traffic management and lack of notification.
Wales & West confirmed on Wednesday that following a site meeting it had agreed to change light settings. That came after South Devon MP Caroline Voaden and Brixham Town Council raised concerns. The town council posted that it had been in regular contact with Torbay Council Highways and had been told that drivers were ignoring red lights. It said: "Brixham Town Council is aware of the concerns raised by residents regarding the significant traffic delays on Dartmouth Road, Churston, and has been in regular contact with Torbay Highways to seek an urgent resolution."
Wales & West has now provided an update. It says it has been agreed with Torbay Council that rolling two-way traffic lights will be in place on Dartmouth Road, as well as road closures on Manor Vale Road and Warborough Road. The traffic lights are being manned 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
Wales & West Utilities' Programme Controller, Abby Smith, is managing the work and said: "We are working in the Dartmouth Road area of Galmpton to upgrade the gas network, to help keep people safe and warm for decades to come. We apologise for the disruption caused by the works so far and have been working closely with Torbay Council and the Highways Authority to find the best solution for traffic management. We will continue to review this as the project progresses. Our team is working as quickly and efficiently as possible to get the works completed, and we are due to finish on time on 20 November. We thank the local community for their cooperation as we undertake these essential works."
Following an inspection on Tuesday by the Torbay Council, it has been decided that changes will be made to the light settings to help ease the flow of traffic. Due to the volume of traffic, delays are still likely, especially around peak times. "We ask that road users avoid the area or use alternative routes where possible," says Wales & West.
Caroline Voaden said in a post: "The current works form part of a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) programme being delivered by Wales & West Utilities to replace ageing metallic gas mains with more durable polyethylene pipework. This phase of the project involves the replacement of approximately 1,000 metres of gas main and requires excavation pits at intervals along the route to facilitate the insertion of new pipework through the existing metallic main and the connection of the new infrastructure. The works have been planned in accordance with both national and local requirements and have been subject to the appropriate notification and advertising processes."
A Torbay Council spokesperson said: "Our highways team has taken urgent action to improve traffic flows after reports of long delays as a result of traffic management at the Wales & West Utilities gas works in Dartmouth Road, Galmpton, on Monday."
Driver Anger Over Dartmouth Road Delays Prompts Traffic Light Changes