Parish Council Supports Business Group Concerns Over A382 Closure Concerns

Moretonhampstead Parish Council has written to the Teignbridge Highways and Traffic Orders Committee in support of concerns raised by the Business Group about the planned six‑week A382 summer closure. The Council has published its letter below. The Business Group has also launched an e‑petition regarding the proposed closure. Residents who wish to read or sign the petition can do so via the link below.

ePetition – Review impact on Moretonhampstead of proposed A382 closure during summer holidays – Democracy in Devon  

The full letter is published below.

Dear Members of the Teignbridge Highways and Traffic Orders Committee,

Devon County Council has confirmed that the A382 south of Moretonhampstead (from Pepperdon Hall Lane to Wray Barton) will be completely closed to all traffic from Monday 20 July to Friday 28 August 2026.

Moretonhampstead Parish Council has made extensive, formal efforts to work constructively with DCC Highways to secure a less damaging schedule. Despite this, the Council has been unable to obtain any flexibility on the dates or any meaningful exploration of alternative traffic management options. The closure, as currently planned, falls directly across the peak school summer holiday period and will have a severe impact on residents, businesses, and essential services.

The town has already endured significant disruption from recent major closures on both the A382 and the B3212. Local businesses, many of which are still recovering from these earlier works, are extremely concerned that a further six‑week total closure during the busiest trading period will cause lasting economic harm.

The impact extends beyond the visitor economy. Local health and social care providers, including NedCare, have warned that a full closure will significantly disrupt care delivery to elderly and vulnerable residents in the surrounding rural communities. Lengthy diversion routes will increase travel times, fuel costs, and staffing pressures at a time when care capacity is already stretched.

The Parish Council therefore asks the Committee to urgently review the proposed closure and require DCC Highways to adopt a more proportionate and community‑minded approach. In particular, we request that DCC:

• Start the works earlier – even a two‑week shift would materially reduce the impact on the summer holiday period.
• Complete the works as quickly as possible, with a clear commitment to minimise the duration of the full closure.
• Implement mitigation measures, including night‑time working, controlled single‑lane traffic signals, or escorted convoy systems where safe and feasible.
• Provide clear, unambiguous signage to ensure road users understand that Moretonhampstead remains accessible, and
• Introduce two signed diversion routes – one for HGVs and one for light vehicles, with the latter using the B3212 to reduce unnecessary mileage and journey times.
An ePetition has been submitted to Devon County Council to demonstrate the strength of local feeling. The issue has also been highlighted on BBC Spotlight (10 June) and in other regional media.

The Parish Council urges the Committee to intervene and ensure that DCC Highways reconsiders the timing and management of this closure in order to protect the wellbeing and economic resilience of our community.

Yours sincerely,
Moretonhampstead Parish Council