THE two week closure of a key road in and out of Newton Abbot begins tomorrow.

The A382 will be closed from Monday, February 24 to Friday, March 7.

The closure, which is between Whitehill Road and Ringslade Road, is to allow South West Water (SWW) to carry out exploratory work ahead of the next phase of improvements to the A382.

‘The work is complex as it’s a major connection for water in the area and unfortunately it can’t be carried out at night, but SWW will aim to complete it as quickly as possible’ a spokesman for Devon County Council (DCC) said.

And drivers in Newton Abbot will have yet more road works to navigate as Wales and West Utilities’ upgrades to the town’s gas pipes continues in Highweek Street.

A closure will be in place from March 3 on the road, below its junction with Chapel Hill.

There will be no right hand turn down Highweek Street from Halcyon Road.

‘Three-way traffic lights will also be in place along Highweek Street’ Wales and West Utilities said.

In light of the disruption and delays brought by the works, businesses, chief among them Plants Galore, have aired their frustration and anger at the inevitable loss of trade they will experience as a result.

But SWW say it has signposted businesses to where they can claim support.

‘We are working with local businesses to minimise any disruption and have informed them of how to claim for any loss of profit during these essential works’ a spokesman for SWW said.