AS Wolborough Street is dug up for gas works, Coach Road has seen an influx of traffic looking to circumvent the office diversion causing havoc for local residents in the process.

Used as a rat-run at the best of times, the Newton Abbot road becomes heavily congested if not totally impassable on an average day, regardless of any nearby roadworks, but with Wolborough Street having closed for three weeks as of Monday, July 22, the road has seen a sharp increase in traffic using the narrow lane.

One resident of Coach Road told the Mid-Devon Advertiser of lengthy delays caused by heavy-goods vehicles, damage to driveways, walls and, reportedly, a lamppost - and this is without mentioning the number of high-spirited drivers colourfully airing their frustrations while gridlocked and sat idle.

A narrow road reduced to a single lane at points, the only real passing places along Coach Road are residents’ driveways.

Unsurprisingly, residents, frustrated with the near constant intrusion by drivers, who, in some instances, have caused damage that residents have to foot the bill for, have blocked of their driveways.

It is, therefore, perhaps not surprising that, in light of this disruption, calls are being made to implement some form of traffic management system along Coach Road - traffic lights or a one-way system, for example.

And it isn't just those living on Coach Road that are calling for traffic lights.

‘Surely Coach Road should be given traffic lights at each end for light traffic only?’ Ogwell resident, Dianne McPherson, said.

‘At present, residents in Coach Road are blocking driveways so vehicles cannot pass - I quite understand their action.

‘To save frayed tempers by motorists, avoid accidents and keep the lifeblood of our town flowing, surely the council could come up with a better solution’ Dianne added.

The official diversion directs drivers toward Totnes, Paignton and then on toward Torquay before arriving at Newton Abbot.

‘Are Devon County Council mad or just thoughtless?’ Dianne said.

It is not clear whether temporary traffic lights would function over the length of Coach Road, which is about a kilometre in distance.

Devon County Council have been approached for comment.