Busy Bideford to Torrington road is set to be closed for almost another week

The A386 main Bideford to Torrington road looks set to be closed for around one more week.

The road was closed on the night of Storm Goretti on January 8 due to fallen trees and then subsequent damage caused by a landslip leaving it unsafe.

Devon County Highways teams have been on site assessing and working to repair the damage and reopen the busy route, with hopes it would reopen today (Friday).

But an update issued by Great Torrington Town Council today said the council has been told the road is not likely to reopen until next Wednesday, January 21.

The closed section of the A386 is from Weare Giffard Cross to Rakeham Toll House Cross.

Diversions are in place, with the road open between Bideford and Landcross before the official diversion takes drivers through Frithelstock to Torrington.

Speaking to the Gazette on Tuesday, Highways said the closure had been forced by 10 fallen trees as well as the landslip.

At the time and before the reopening was pushed back, a DCC spokesperson said: “We're trying to get the road re-opened as soon as possible, but safety of the public is paramount, so it won’t open until Thursday or Friday at the earliest.

“Geotechnical experts are currently assessing the landslip to enable us to install a temporary wall and get one lane open with temporary traffic lights in place. We are also working proactively with our contractor to carry out additional work within the closure, such as gully emptying, to minimise future disruption.”