DEVON County Council has been urged to think again over a massive construction project which has meant road closures around Newton Abbot.

Local businesses have said they are ‘deeply concerned’ over the closure of one of the main roads in and out of the town for two years.

Now one of the town’s councillors has asked the county council to go back to the drawing board.

The A382 is getting an 11-month closure from Whitehills roundabout followed by a year-long shutdown at Forches Cross.

The county council says the work will improve the road between Forches Cross and Stover and develop the Jetty Marsh Link road.

It will, the council says, cut congestion, improve safety and boost options for walkers and cyclists.

It also aims to be the UK’s first “carbon negative” road by cutting emissions during construction and maintenance.

But after Newton Abbot Town Council expressed its fears that cutting off the route would hit hard at businesses already feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis, Cllr Jane Taylor (Ind, Kerswell with Coombe) told a full meeting of Teignbridge Council that a re-think was needed.

She said: “Teignbridge is funding this to the tune of £1.5million, and has had no consultation with Devon County Council at all.

“Did Teignbridge carry out a business impact assessment, or did it see a copy of one done by the county council?

“Is there any intention to change the timescale for the benefit of businesses in Teignbridge?”

Council leader Richard Keeling (Lib Dem, Chudleigh) said road closures and maintenance were determined by the Highways Authority. Teignbridge had not been consulted and had not made formal objections.

He added: “This council made a decision to support this scheme and contribute funds to it, as an important long-term infrastructure improvement in the town. The new Jetty Marsh link past the hospital will be a real benefit.”

The county council had decided on a two-year road closure as opposed to traffic lights because it reduced the construction time by a year, he said.

The total cost of the scheme is £49.55million, of which more than £38million is coming from the Department for Transport.

The county council is putting in around £10million and Teignbridge £1.5million.