Roadworks to be halted for town's event

THERE will be a temporary halt on roadworks for tonight's popular Tavistock Dickensian Evening to avoid the event being marred by traffic chaos.

- By ALISON STEPHENSON

Christmas shoppers had been urged to leave home early to visit Tavistock's biggest event of the year as traffic congestion continues to plague the town.

But organisers were told on Wednesday that National Grid intends to take away the traffic lights in the Drake's Statue area from 4pm on Friday until Saturday morning.

Town leaders called it "a relief" after fears that footfall would drop because of the gridlock.

Visitors to the Christmas shopping event from Plymouth are still being encouraged to use the park and ride at Morrisons on Plymouth Road which begins at 4.15pm but there will also be free parking in West Devon Borough Council car parks from 3pm.

Manager of Tavistock's Business Improvement District Janna Sanders called the roadworks "an absolute nightmare" as they had been in place for nearly a month and were continuing throughout the run-up to Christmas, affecting trade.