A MAJOR stabilisation scheme is due to be undertaken between Dunsford and Doccombe, early in the New Year.

From Monday, January 5, the B3212 will be closed from Steps Bridge to Little Haytor Farm for 18 weeks.

One lane has been closed on this section of the road since 2022 following a landslip where half of the road slumped, leaving it unsafe .

Extensive survey and design work has gone into developing a repair scheme which will stabilise the road, improve drainage and reinstate safety barriers.

Trees were removed from the site earlier this year and a 12 tonne piling rig is being brought to the location in the new year to underpin the road.

Councillor Dan Thomas, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: ‘I appreciate an 18-week road closure is a long time, and we’re sorry that it will cause disruption, but this is an extremely complex job.

‘There’s a chance the road could be lost completely at some stage if this stabilisation scheme isn’t done.

‘A lot of work has gone into the design of the scheme and because the road is in an environmentally sensitive area it’s not straight forward.

‘We have needed permission from landowners for the large plant that will be needed on site, and due to its size there’s no choice but to close the road.

‘Please bear with us’.

Councillor Richard Keeling, County Councillor for Chudleigh and Teign Valley, said: ‘The essential works will make it safer to travel on this important stretch for local residents’.

During the road closure, a signed diversion will be in place via the B3212, Six Mile Hill, Farrant's Hill, B3193, B3344, Le Molay-Littly Way, Station Road, Monks Way, A382 Bovey Tracey, Station Road, Cross Street, Exeter Road and vice versa.

Throughout the work, through journeys on Country Bus service 359, between Exeter and Moretonhampstead, will be diverted via the A30.

Devon County Council has organised a shuttle service which will operate three times a day in each direction between Dunsford and Exeter, via Longdown.