THE B3344 Bovey Tracey-Chudleigh Knighton road was finally reopened today (Wednesday, March 30) after a controversial three-month closure.

Traffic was allowed to use the main road at 9.30am following an on-off-on situation.

Last week it was stated on developer Bovis Homes’ website that the road would be opened at 5.30pm on Easter Sunday, then on Thursday morning Devon County Council Highways called a halt stating in an email: ‘Due to a delay in the safety audit procedure required before this road can be reopened, this closure will remain in place for an additional two weeks.’

That would have taken it up to April 10, but to the relief of residents and traders it was opened today.

The main road was sealed off at the beginning of the year so that sub-contractors Roadform Civil Engineers could instal a new rising main, rebuild a culvert under the road and realign the carriageway at Bradley Bends where Bovis Homes is building 185 homes, 20 self-build and employment units, now known as Williams Gate.

Residents, shopkeepers and Bovey Tracey town councillors were furious over the lack of consultation. Traders have maintained they have lost thousands of pounds by the closure. They have accused the county council and Bovis of ignoring their protests.

Today (March 30), the county council would not comment maintaining it was not its scheme and a spokesman for Roadform said Bovis were the ones to contact. Put in touch with the Bovis press officer, the call went to answer phone.

The clerk of Bovey Tracey Town Council, Mark Wells, said the road had been reopened but he had received no explanation as to what the safety audit issue was.

‘Nobody is willing to disclose that to me. How they can say on Thursday that it is being closed for two weeks and then to say on the Tuesday it is being re-opened tomorrow (Wednesday) is a mystery,’ said Mr Wells who added that everyone would be happy it was now back in use.