TORQUAY Road in Newton Abbot will close overnight later this month to allow an old railway footbridge to be safely removed by crane.

The footbridge, located on the south side of the A381, has been out of use for more than a decade and has now reached the end of its operational life.

Devon County Council says its removal is intended to improve public safety and eliminate the ongoing maintenance costs associated with a structure that is no longer in use.

Because the bridge crosses the railway line and is situated next to Torquay Road, specialist lifting equipment will be required to dismantle and remove it safely.

The work has been coordinated with Network Rail and is scheduled to take place overnight from Saturday, September 19, into Sunday, September 20.

Torquay Road will be closed between 8pm and 9am the following morning, with a signed diversion route in place.

Advance warning signs will also be installed in the area ahead of the closure.

The work is weather dependent and could be postponed if conditions are unsuitable or operational issues arise.

Two contingency weekends have been set aside: September 26 and 27 and October 3 and 4.

Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and follow the signed diversion during the closure.

For more information, and updates, visit Devon County Council’s website.

Traffic will be diverted via: East Street, Newfoundland Way, Bradley Lane, Exeter Road, Jetty Marsh Road, Kingsteignton Road, Greenhill Way, Vicarage Hill, Saxon Way, Besigheim Way and Penn Inn Roundabout before rejoining Torquay Road.