A MAIN road connecting Devon and Cornwall will soon be closed to traffic for three weeks during off-peak times — and in its place will be a 25-mile diversion.

Major work to improve the surface of the A390 through Gunnislake will start on Monday, January 22 and last until approximately February 9.

The surfacing is needed to bring the road up to standard and able to meet the requirements of the 6,000 or so traffic movements seen passing through the village each day.

During the works the road — A390 at its junction with the B3257 at Sevenstones, to Gunnislake Bridge (Devon border) — will be closed to through traffic, Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

A signed diversion route will take off-peak local traffic and non-local traffic along the A388 through Callington and Treburley, then the B3362 through Milton Abbot, rejoining the A390 north of Gulworthy.

Access to homes and local amenities will be maintained as much as possible and traffic marshalls will be on site at key locations to help provide access through the works for residents and those needing critical facilities, including the doctor’s surgery.

The morning run of school buses will not be affected, and access will be managed for the afternoon pick up, although the work may have some impact on timings.

The works are being undertaken on behalf of Cornwall Council.

A spokesperson said: ‘We always do what we can to minimise the disturbance to our local communities. This is one reason why the work is being undertaken in winter, well away from the tourism season.’

• Pictured is the bridge at Gunnislake connecting the two counties which will be closed to traffic during off-peak times.