Community News

A361 roadworks - one year, and one tortoise!

The £63 million scheme to make safety improvements along the North Devon Link Road between Barnstaple and South Molton has now been running for 12 months.

During that time most of the work has been focused on clearing land alongside the A361 so that construction work can start in earnest later this year, and putting in place measures to give the workforce safe access.

The removal of trees and vegetation can only take place outside of the bird nesting season, so that has resumed this winter.

In recent weeks the speed limit has been

Junction between South Molton & North Molton

modified so that two short sections have become 60mph again, but the majority of the roadworks will remain at 40mph to help protect the workers. The diversion at the North Molton junction (above) will also stay in place.

As we reported last month, more than 3,000 motorists were caught speeding in the roadworks in just three weeks and police say they will be stepping up speed detection patrols. There have also been several bad crashes despite the reduction in speed limit.

Among the more unusual incidents, project foreman Matt Budd spotted a tortoise (above) in the middle of the A361 and pulled over to rescue it. Then came the difficult task of finding its owner as it was miles from any houses. Matt took the tortoise home to look after it, and thanks to the power of Facebook it was eventually reunited with its owner!

Contractors Griffiths are also trialling the use of the new zero emission HVO Fuel (Green Diesel) in vehicles on the link road, as part of attempts to reduce their carbon footprint.

Safety barriers and 40mph speed limit protecting workers

The project, which includes safety improvements to several key junctions, remains on schedule to be completed by the end of 2023. For up to date information: community.alungriffiths.co.uk/projects-inyour-area/north-devon-link-road/

Storms bring down trees and block main roads

Back to back storms at the end of November and beginning of December brought dozens of trees down across North Devon and Exmoor. Storm Arwen appears to have done the most damage, blocking the A361 at Bridge Cross (below) just after Bish Mill roundabout for several hours on November 27th. The A39 at Watersmeet (right) had to be closed for several days due the large amount of debris and unsafe trees. Storm Barra on December 7th recorded winds in excess of 70mph.

A361 courtesy South Molton Police A39 courtesy North Devon National Trust

Dozens of people went along to South Molton Library on December 2nd to meet author Derrica Hodgson, as she signed copies of her new local history book.

‘When The Clock Was Lit By Gas - South Molton in the 1920s’ looks at the time when the community was recovering from the disastrous effects of WW1, and enduring the Spanish Flu pandemic - without medication.

Locals found themselves in a menacing world situation, with shortages of everything, particularly food, and large-scale industrial strife culminating in the 1926 General Strike.

The book is on sale now at Amory House, Exmoor Hardware and Simmons Fruit Sales. Author Derrica is donating all profits to North Devon Hospice.

Author Derrica meets reader Henry Photo by Jane Petch

Lanacre Barn Gallery on Exmoor has raised £2600 towards the CareMoor Woods & Trees Appeal, helping to create the new 12-hectare Bye Wood just a few miles from the gallery.

Owner and artist Jo Minoprio (pictured right) raised the money by hosting an art exhibition of more than 60 artworks by the internationally acclaimed Arborealists, whose works were inspired by the landscapes of both Exmoor and Dartmoor.

Jo said, “It was a fortuitous moment, a collaboration of trees and art and timing, enabling Lanacre Barn Gallery to raise money and awareness for this vital cause. It seems fitting that the money raised will go towards conserving the very landscapes that inspired such stunning artworks.” Molton Monthly has also donated a tree to the appeal as part of its role as a North Devon Biosphere Business Partner.

The aim is to create 2,500 hectares of new wooded habitats on Exmoor every year.

Details about Exmoor National Park’s CareMoor Woods & Trees appeal can be found online at: exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/caremoor

The funeral of popular South Molton rugby player Ben Warren took place at North Devon Crematorium on December 22nd. His funeral cortege was scheduled to parade past the rugby club and through the town, so that people could pay their respects.

His famiy say despite the best efforts of medical staff, he died on November 28th after two weeks in hospital in Exeter suffering with an “extreme throat infection”.

His sister, Amy Brailey, paid tribute to him, “Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Ben knows that he was a larger than life character, and will be sorely and greatly missed. As you can all agree he is unforgettable, and has left a large hole in all of our hearts.”

Donations in memory of Ben Warren can be made through H. N. Blackmore & Sons Ltd Photo courtesy Amy Brailey