A SECTION of Blundell’s Road in Tiverton will be closed during the half-term holiday as work on road safety and traffic calming improvements nears completion.

The road will be closed between Horsdon Terrace and Blundell’s Preparatory School from Monday October 24 to Friday October 28 to complete surfacing work.

Work on the £1.1 million scheme, which is introducing a series of traffic-calming measures to reduce speeds and make it easier for pedestrians to cross the road, started in July and is due to be completed on Friday October 28.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for Highway Management, said: “I'm pleased to see these works are nearing completion.

"The closure has been timed to coincide with the school half-term holiday and

"I’d like to assure everyone that every effort is being made to minimise disruption.

"This scheme will reduce traffic speeds in order to improve safety for pedestrians, and especially school children, when crossing the road, which can only be a good thing.”

Councillor Des Hannon, county councillor for Tiverton East, said: "This project is necessary to keep everyone safe as traffic to and from the new house building east of Tiverton increases.

"It was also the scheme chosen by people locally.

"I share everyone's frustration that it's taken so long.

"Of course closing the road is yet another inconvenience but it's also a sign the end is in sight. That will be very welcome."

The enhancement scheme along Blundell’s Road was required as a result of the allocation of land to the east of Tiverton for housing and employment land in the Mid Devon Local Plan (Eastern Urban Extension). Devon Council Council agreed the scheme following a public consultation last year.

During the road closure the signed diversion route for vehicles will be via A39 Heathcoat Way, A361 Gornhay Junction, A361 East, Junction 27, A361 West, Sampford Peverell, Lower Town, Turnpike, Halberton High Street, Post Hill, Blundell's Road and vice versa. Access to premises will be maintained at all times.