RESIDENTS in Starcross are facing yet more weeks of travel misery with confirmation that the A379 will now be shut until December 9.

The main road through the village has been closed since September for urgent work to the Driftwood Pub, previously the Globe.

But the closure has caused serious knock-on effects through the village with a huge increase in traffic using the residential streets.

Now county councillor Alan Connett says he is ‘hugely disappointed’ with Devon County Council highways.

He said: ‘I can only apologise to residents. It shouldn’t be like this.

‘In my personal view, there’s been too much understanding for the brewery and not anywhere near enough for the safety and concerns of residents.’

He said when he was informed there may need to be another extension to the closure, he asked why there were reportedly periods of no work happening on the Driftwood and the extended impact this has on the village and residents.

He has also asked for a temporary crossing on New Road to help children get more safely to the village school and for other residents to cross.

He has also asked for an HGV ban in Starcross for the remainder of the main road closure.

The official diversion route is via the A38 then the A380, then the A381 and back to the A379.

Devon Highways has spoken to hauliers and firms have agreed not to go through the village but the continue to be reports of large vehicles ignoring the diversion.

There are also reports of traffic speeding along New Road which has a 20mph limit.

Cllr Connett claims he has had no response from highways.

Work on the pub is more extensive than had been anticipated as when the render was removed from the building, the cob walls needed more extensive repairs.

But the closure has already been extended numerous times and the diversions continue to cause chaos in the village.

Devon County Council has been asked to respond.