Thousands affected by north Devon roadworks
BBCMonths of work to replace gas pipes is expected to cause major problems for thousands of people in north Devon through 2026 and into 2027.
Wales and West Utilities is carrying out an "intensive" and "essential" £1.8m programme of work to replace more than 9km (5.5 miles) of gas pipes in Barnstaple and villages nearby.
The work means the B3233 through Bickington will be closed from The Cedars Inn roundabout to Fremington Quay from Monday until 23 August, with more closures also planned over the following months, affecting traffic around North Devon College.
Local councillors said they were recruiting volunteers to help elderly and vulnerable people, adding it would be "a tough few months".
Bideford to Barnstaple buses will be diverted along the A39 (North Devon Link Road) and a shuttle bus provided by the utility company will ferry affected residents from Bickington, Fremington, Yelland and Instow to connect with them.
It means some people used to getting one bus at the end of their road to their main town will need to walk to the edge of the village to catch the shuttle and then change buses.
Frank Biederman, Liberal Democrat member for Fremington on Devon County Council, said the work would have "a significant impact on thousands of residents and the wider Devon economy".
He said: "I am asking people to try and share lifts, or work from home if they can or cycle or walk, and look out for the elderly members of their community.
"As local councillors, we are working together to support residents through this disruption, in a similar way to how we supported communities during Covid."
Wales and West manager Roxanne Whittaker said it was "essential to maintain a resilient network that people rely on every day".
She said Wales and West was committed to keeping "the local community updated of our progress" and to keeping "communities informed as projects are planned and delivered".
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