Major A382 road improvements near Newton Abbot ‘on schedule’, says Devon County Council

Devon County Council have confirmed work on the A382 improvement scheme is continuing as planned despite recent heavy rainfall.

The project, which began in mid-September, has already seen significant changes to the site, including the removal of Exeter Road and Whitehills Road and the formation of a new roundabout.

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A Devon County Council spokesperson said:

“Good progress is being made on the A382 improvements, and the project remains on schedule despite the heavy downpours over the last couple of months.”

Foundations have now been constructed for the embankment of the new link road, while excavation work for two new culverts designed to manage excess water has been completed. 

In some areas, ground levels have been reduced by up to five metres.

The council said the decision to close the road fully, rather than use temporary traffic lights, was taken for safety and traffic management reasons.

“With a high volume of slow-moving heavy machinery on site, normal traffic flow would have been severely disrupted if temporary traffic lights had been used,” the spokesperson said.

“Health and safety were also key factors in the decision, to protect both the public and the site workforce.”

Around 130 lorry movements are currently taking place each day, moving excavated material and delivering stone from a local quarry. To date, the council said:

• 29,605 tonnes of excavated material have been reused on the project
• 9,627 tonnes of crushed stone have been delivered for use as a starter layer
• 1,476 tonnes of sub-base material have also been brought to site

Drainage works are under way at the new roundabout, and kerbing has begun. 

Excavation is also continuing at Whitehills, where a four-metre-deep cutting is being created and sections of the old A382 are being removed.

Outside the MG Garage, drainage, kerbing and footway preparation have been completed in advance of resurfacing.

Devon County Council confirmed that South West Water will be diverting two large high-pressure strategic water mains as part of the scheme. 

Vertical drains will also be installed in the embankment foundations of the new link road.

Jetty Marsh, which is prone to flooding during wetter months, has been factored into the construction programme.

“Activities in this area will be minimised until drier weather in the spring,” the council said.

“However, the contractor will ensure the most is made of any dry weather when it occurs.”

In 2026, work is expected to begin on the embankment that will form the base of the new road connection to West Golds Way. 

Devon County Council said this will raise the road by around four metres to reduce flood risk.

Material used to build the embankment will come from land opposite the hospital in Newton Abbot.

“This will create an area for any future floodwater to flow, helping ensure that flooding is not made worse elsewhere,” the spokesperson added.

Further updates on the scheme are available through the A382 project website and email bulletin service.