Closure of main road extended for third time

The reopening of Heavitree Road has been delayed for a third time by Wales and West Utilities

The reopening of the main road out of Exeter has been delayed for a third time due to works being carried out by Wales and West Utilities.

The firm, which is upgrading gas pipes, had first promised Heavitree Road would reopen on 7 October.

That date was then revised to 13 October, then 10 November but the road alongside the Waitrose store and the St Luke's campus of the University of Exeter will now not reopen until 21 November, utility bosses have confirmed.

The road closure has caused major traffic tailbacks on other roads and has come at the same time as disruption to another main route in the city - Buddle Lane - also due to Wales and West work.

Heavitree Road was supposed to reopen on 7 October but the date has been repeatedly pushed back

Wales and West said it had hoped to lift the road closure on 10 November.

Lee Moore, performance manager for Devon, said two issues had caused the delays.

He said: "Working in agreement with Devon County Council, we upgraded a further main along Heavitree Road, ahead of a new bus improvement plan which is scheduled for the future.

"This decision was made to prevent us from having to return in the future and re-dig on a new road."

Mr Moore said while carrying out that work the team hit "unexpected engineering difficulties" which caused delays.

He said: "We have also worked with the university to avoid working on the campus during the week, so that on-site facilities can remain open, meaning we have only been able to work in this area over the weekends."

Wales and West apologised for any inconvenience and said work was "on track" to be completed by 21 November.