Traders 'appalled' by roadworks' handling

ANGRY traders in Kingsbridge say they are 'appalled' after hearing how roadworks in the centre of town have opened a 'Pandora's Box' of problems and could go on for months.

- By GUY HENDERSON Local Democracy Reporter

Devon County Council has confirmed that a new 45-metre-long culvert will need to be installed in Fore Street to replace the existing one, and even if things go smoothly it could be another 20 weeks before the job is done.

South Hams Chamber chair Samantha Dennis said a detailed plan should have drawn up sooner, and the chamber and the town council had been left to 'pick up the pieces'.

The road has been closed since the culvert collapse was discovered in January, with a large hole found below.

The county council says its latest site investigations have highlighted complex issues which need to be resolved, but it cannot say exactly how long the scheme will take to complete due to the amount of existing services under the road.

An area around the collapse needs to be isolated from the incoming tides and two underground watercourses with a series of pumps.