A BRIEF blockade of the A382 took place this week after a local businessman used a lorry to block contractors’ access to the site in protest over the lack of signage.

Owner of Plants Galore, Tony Joyner, took matters into his own hands and used the vehicle to blockade the Newton Abbot road on Thursday, September 25.

The businessman said he took this course of action after getting no response from Devon County Council (DCC) after contacting the authority about the lack of signs saying businesses in the area were open as normal.

Mr Joyner says a written agreement between himself and the council promised more than 40 signs, including illuminated signs, in and around the surrounding area, along the relief roads and diversion routes.

But come Thursday morning, the businessman says only two or three had been put in place.

And in trying to contact the council, Mr Joyner says he was ignored.

‘It is important to say, in the morning, we emailed them and they ignored us - we phoned them and they put the phone down on us’, says Mr Joyner.

‘They basically couldn't care less and put the phone down, so we were left with very little choice - we had to try and get their attention.

And Tony’s blockade, albeit brief, did indeed get the attention of DCC.

‘It has been successful, they have now put the signs out and we have removed our vehicles and we can all get on with our lives.

‘All we are trying to do is sell some plants, it is really not that complicated’, Tony added.

A Devon County Council spokesperson said: ‘The project team has been liaising for some time with businesses near the A382, ahead of the start of work on upgrading the road.

‘A comprehensive traffic management layout has been agreed with local stakeholders, and most of the ‘businesses open as usual’ signs were pre-installed overnight (24 Sept) with the remaining having been installed over the course of yesterday (25 Sept).

‘This work was still ongoing when site staff discussed the issue with a local business owner yesterday and they continued to install the remaining signs on the road network as well as updating electronic Variable Message Signs.

‘Work on the project is continuing.

‘We would also like to remind people that we have a zero tolerance policy against abuse of site staff and condemn abusive behaviour directed towards road workers’.