South Hams Council Leader addresses Sherford road closure to tackle ‘rat run’ concerns

The Leader of South Hams District Council has moved to clarify the proposed closure of a section of Plympton Hill, stating the move is a vital step in addressing long-standing traffic concerns in neighbouring communities.

Cllr Dan Thomas confirmed that the Sherford Consortium has applied to the Secretary of State to "stop up" a portion of the road that falls within the Sherford development boundary.

It is understood that the proposal aims to fulfil a legal obligation requested by Plymouth City Council to manage traffic flow and prevent motorists from using the narrow streets of Plympton St Maurice as a high-speed shortcut.

“As part of discussions with Plymouth City Council colleagues, The Sherford Consortium has brought forward the closure of the road process (stopping up) as a short-term measure to address this legal obligation. This is ahead of more permanent proposals that are still needed as part of this development," he said. 

According to Cllr Thomas, the closure is not a removal of access, but a transition toward the completed Sherford masterplan. While the current road will be removed, it will eventually be replaced by a modern network of estate roads capable of handling the town's growth.

"This is part of a statutory process which is a necessary step to progressing the Sherford masterplan," Cllr Thomas said. "While the road in its current form will be removed, a new route through Sherford will therefore be possible following construction."

The Council Leader highlighted that the timing of the closure is a direct response to pressure from surrounding residents.

• Original Plan: Initial proposals suggested a bollard at the top of Bullers Hill to block all traffic.

• Revised Strategy: Following discussions with Plymouth City Council, the "stopping up" process was brought forward as a more effective short-term measure to address legal requirements.

Cllr Thomas reassured residents that access to Bullers Hill remains available via other existing routes in the area.

The council has also addressed concerns over the accessibility of the consultation process.

Cllr Thomas noted that because the procedure is managed by the Department for Transport (DfT), official notices did not initially provide clear instructions for viewing the plans online.

He said the council had now published the information independently to ensure residents could access the details

“We are aware of how difficult it has been for residents to view details of the consultation. Unfortunately, this is a process managed by the Department of Transport and no details are provided on their statutory notices of how to view the details online," he said. 

How to View the Plans

The consultation is currently open, and residents are encouraged to review the draft order. 

• Sherford Consortium Site: www.sherford.uk/2026/02/23/proposed-road-closure

• South Hams District Council Site: www.southhams.gov.uk/sherford-draft-order-sw6207