A contentious road closure planned for flood alleviation works will be discussed during a parish council meeting tonight.

From Monday, February 25, to Friday, March 8, a small section of the A379 at Frogmore will be closed to allow flood alleviation works to take place.

The diversion, which has to be via A-roads, will be along Slapton Line to Dartmouth and back round Ledstone and Kingsbridge, and vice versa - A379, A381, A3122.

Cllr Julian Brazil will be talking about the upcoming closure at tonight’s Frogmore Parish Council meeting.

People will be able to voice their concerns during the open forum section of tonight’s (Monday’s) parish council meeting, which starts at 7pm.

The closure would affect the people who use that section of the A379 to get in and out of Kingsbridge, and would increase the amount of traffic using the diversion.

A spokesman for Devon County Council said: “The works on the A379 in Frogmore are the first phase of flood alleviation works DCC Flood Risk Management have been working closely with the local parish council on for a number of years.

"Following the extreme weather experienced in the region in 2012, where a dozen or so properties were affected in the area from surface water flooding, a scheme proposal has been developed by the PC with close support from DCC FRM.

“This initial phase will look to install a large drainage grid to collect surface water and discharge it under the highway through the new culvert. Phase two will be delivered in the summer months, and will involve directing the flow to the newly installed drainage grid from the fields above.

"This will improve the standard of flood protection to 12 residential properties."

People have been suggesting that the works could be carried out with traffic lights or a convoy system. In response to this, the spokesman added: "With regards to the closure, this is required because of the very narrow road width in the area.

"We have tried our upmost to keep the road open, however it is simply not possible to undertake the works and maintain the minimum allowable road width for vehicles.

"It is therefore not safe to manage the traffic, pedestrians and the work force in such a confined space, resulting in a closure.”

Devon County Council have organised a taxi replacement service between Frogmore and Kingsbridge due to the temporary suspension of the bus service due to the road closure.

A statement from DCC reads:

“Please note that due to essential road works, the A379 through Frogmore will be closed to traffic from Monday, February 25, until Friday, March 8, 2019. No buses will therefore be able to access West Charleton and a Shuttle Bus will operate between Frogmore and Strete.

“DCC has arranged a taxi service between Frogmore, West Charleton and Kingsbridge off-peak as a part replacement.

“The taxi will be available on Monday to Saturdays running once a day. It will run to the following timetable: Frogmore Bridge 1000; Kingsbridge Bus Station 1310; West Charleton, Village Hall 1005 West Charleton Village Hall 1320; Kingsbridge Bus Station 1015; Frogmore Bridge 1325

“The Taxi will be operated by One 2 One Taxis. When you wish to travel you will need to book your journey with them at least one day in advance by telephoning 07766 406129 between 7am and 10pm. Please tell them the day and date that you wish to travel, and whether you want to go one or both ways. The taxi will not run unless it has been booked.

“At other times, please use the Stagecoach Shuttle Bus which leaves Frogmore (not West Charleton) at 0725 (Schooldays only and continues through to Kingsbridge), 0925, 1025, 1325 and 1640, returning from Strete at 1000, 1300, 1615 and 1715. Most journeys connect with the service buses to Kingsbridge and Dartmouth at Strete.

“There will be a £1 fare charged per one-way journey. This is a subsidised fare. There are no further reductions for National Bus Pass holders and children apart from under 5s who travel free.”