Drivers criticise Link Road project delays

When Molton Monthly first revealed a photo of the new bridge being built at West Buckland (right) on its social media platforms, the story went ‘viral’ sparking 80,000 views and more than 110 mostly angry comments about the beleaguered £67 million Link Road improvements.

We reported back in September last year that the project has been delayed from December 2023 to “spring 2024”. Before that, the work was scaled back to keep within budget due to spiralling costs. Several parts of the original scheme were scrapped. No reply has been received yet from contractors Griffiths asking for a new date for when the work will be finished.

Writing on our Facebook page, John Parker said, “Spring of what year! Someone should be held responsible for this fiasco and total waste of taxpayers money on this project.” Several suggested average speed cameras between Tiverton and Barnstaple would have been better.

Martyn Easterbrook said, “It’ll be fantastic when’s it’s finished, you’ll be able to leave the M5 and join the traffic jam in Barnstaple 5 minutes quicker!” Rachel Northcott added, “I think it will be more lethal than before, the A303 springs to mind. More overtaking lanes will cause chaos!”

The sections of new road surface also came in for criticism. “The parts that have been re-laid now have pot holes in, where they have ‘joined’ two parts of the new road there are big ridges. By the time they finish the whole road will need resurfacing again,” said Matt Banagan.

Road closures for ongoing work - A361

The Link Road will be closed completely at night between North Aller roundabout at South Molton and Landkey roundabout, between 8pm and 6am from January 22nd and ending on the morning of February 10th.

The main diversion route will be through Filleigh, Swimbridge and Landkey. This is to allow “essential works” to continue, including drainage, resurfacing and more work on the new West Buckland bridge.

A full 24 hour closure will take place on the road between West Buckland (Buckland Leary) and the A361 junction, from midnight on Sunday, February 11th until 11.59pm on Saturday, February 17th. Diversions will be via minor roads through East Buckland and Filleigh.

The Link Road will be closed at night between Portmore roundabout and Landkey roundabout between 8pm and 6am from February 12th and ending on the morning of February 17th. Diversions will be via Whiddon and Newport.

Jobs to do in February

1. Plant snowdrops in the green. Snowdrops do not transplant well when planted as dry bulbs. Large clumps can be divided when they have finished flowering.

2. Prune Wisteria. When the plant is dormant and leafless cut back the shoots that you pruned in the summer to two or three buds, this will ensure that the flowers won’t be covered by leaves.

3. Cut back deciduous grasses left for attractive structure over the winter. Deciduous grasses should be cut back to the base. Evergreen grasses don’t like hard pruning.

4. Chit potato tubers. It’s important with earlies and a good idea with maincrops, to ‘chit’ (allow them to start sprouting shoots) before planting.

5. Keep putting food and water out for the birds.

The first big delivery of the year will arrive from Oxford in the middle of this month. Thousands of perennials and alpines plugs which are potted up at the nursery will be available to buy in about six weeks’ time.

We will be selling even more plants in 1 litre pots this year as they are great value for money and there are so many fabulous new varieties.

Until next month, Jenny Howells

February Opening Times

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays

9am to 5pm

Farm Life - Devon hedge laying

by Roger Hill

Devon has more hedges than any other part of the country. Usually the hedge consists of an earth bank with trees or scrubs growing on it and is renowned as a species rich habitat (photo opposite). Seventy-five per cent are more than 600 hundred years old, having been created between 1150 and 1350 AD.

The reason for their longevity is that of good maintenance. Inevitably gaps appear due to weather erosion or livestock damage and that’s when the traditional hedge laying comes into play. It is a time consuming job because most of the work is done by hand.

My dad taught me ‘hedging’ as he called it and we spent much of the winter engrossed in the skill. He showed me the correct method, including which stem was most suitable to lay, how much of an incision to make and to always lay uphill. The latter allowed the sap to rise in the spring and promote new growth. It was hard work but very satisfying.

I was concerned that the craft was dying, but thankfully today there is renewed interest. It is imperative that we retain such rural skills and more importantly pass the knowledge on to future generations.

‘Til next time, Roger #TuppertheTractor (website: quoit-at-cross.co.uk)

Plough blessing for farming community

The Devon branch of the charity Farming Community Network held their annual Plough Service in conjunction with the parish church at Bishops Nympton on ‘Plough Sunday’, January 7th.

Blessings were offered for the coming season, seed, soil and the plough. These blessings were also extended to the livestock and the farmers, farm workers and those supporting the industry.

Rev’d Alison Rogers hosted this farming service and talked about some of the difficulties farmers face with weather issues, stress, succession planning, working long hours and isolation.

If you need to speak to the Farming Community Network charity:

Richard Sampson: 07835 033062

National Helpline: 03000 111 999 E-helpline: help@fcn.org.uk