from Molton Monthly Magazine December 2024

Hunt for owners who abandoned two dogs

“Several upgraded sections of the North Devon Link Road are due to open by Monday, November 11th,” proudly announced a Devon County Council press release widely distributed online. However, at the same time the contractors Griffiths issued their latest traffic management bulletin announcing road closures and diversions up to at least December 19th.

The £67 million scheme designed to improve safety is now a year late; the original completion date was December 2023. The reality of the council’s statement on ‘opening’ related only to the short stretch between Barnstaple and Landkey, including the new roundabout and footbridge.

North Devon MP Ian Roome told Molton Monthly Magazine, “After nearly four years of construction, I am relieved to hear that the North Devon Link Road project is finally nearing its end. However, given previous assurances that work would be completed by the end of October, it’s disappointing to learn of closures now extending into December. Speaking as a motorist, I share the public’s frustration about what has felt like a long, drawn-out process.”

“For many in North Devon, the top-level planning between the Conservative-controlled Devon County Council and contractor Griffiths will have felt badly disjointed. That is particularly true for residents in Landkey, Swimbridge, Filleigh and various villages around North Molton, who have all had to suffer extremely inconvenient diversions and traffic for long periods.”

Several major parts of the scheme have been dropped to keep within budget. The delays are blamed on problems linked to the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis - all impacting materials and the supply chain.

John Lee, Operations Director for Griffiths thanked local people for their ‘patience’, “This has been a complex and challenging project. From the outset ourselves, Devon County Council and our supply chain

Large stretches of roadworks still in place on the day Devon County Council said parts were “opening” - photo Bianca Robinson partners have worked collaboratively to deliver the scheme, overcoming numerous challenges.”

Devon County Council transport cabinet member Cllr Andrea Davis told BBC Spotlight, “Let’s see what the road is like next year when it is fully open. We’re nearly at the end. I’m incredibly frustrated it has taken this amount of time. I use the Link Road most days, so I’m affected as well. Local people have been incredibly patient, especially all those on the diversion routes.”

“I received an invitation to a celebratory VIP reception for the North Devon Link Road’s reopening. I will certainly welcome the project’s completion when it arrives, but given what has happened, I am not sure celebration is entirely appropriate,” added Ian Roome MP.

Remembrance 2024 marks D-Day 80th anniversary

Communities across North Devon turned out in large numbers for Remembrance services on Sunday, November 10th and Armistice Day commemorations on the 11th.

In South Molton, the Pannier Market was packed with standing room only following the traditional march through the town. Schoolchildren had created poppies that decorated The Square and made wreaths.

This year marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.

Crafters decorated the village pump in Chittlehampton ahead of their commemoration ceremony (below).

Your jobs to do in December

1. Plant up pots and baskets so they look good for Christmas. We still have a large range to choose from, Pansies, Violas, Primroses, Polyanthus, Heathers, Cyclamen, and foliage plants.

2. Improve heavy clay soil by working in plenty of bulky organic matter, such as farmyard manure or composted bark.

3. Finish the autumn tidy-up of leaves from beds and borders. It is especially important to clear leaves from alpines as they will die off if covered for any length of time.

4. Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts, and remaining root crops.

5. Prune acers, birches, and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding. The sap falls in autumn to early winter as the plants lose their leaves and become dormant.

For the next few weeks our focus at the nursery moves to making holly wreaths, we are still taking orders if you would like some.

Visit our website to see design options and prices: ashmoor-nursery.co.uk

We are open every day until Christmas Eve.

Until next month, Jenny Howells