Devon County Council has quashed fears that the new road layout at Butcher Park Hill in Tavistock will only be single track, after concerns were raised by residents on social media.

It was thought the new road layout, where a footpath is being installed, would be too narrow for two cars to pass but the council has confirmed that the width would be sufficient for two cars — and even a car and an HGV — to pass each other.

A spokesperson for the council said the road ‘will not be single track’ and that two cars would be able to pass each other. However, they said two HGVs would need to treat the width with ‘the same care as many other locations in Devon’ and said there would be no definitive priority one way or another.

The spokesperson added: ‘The footpath currently under construction on Butcher Park Hill was accepted by a planning inspector for the secretary of state as part of the adjoining residential development following an appeal by public inquiry. As the highway authority, we are bound by the inspector’s decision that the proposed footway is safe to serve the proposed development.

‘The developer has provided a full road safety audit and we will continue to liaise with them during the construction to ensure all requirements are complied with.’

Also, as part of the scheme, it has been proposed to relocate the 30mph speed limit signs to the top of the hill near to the site access.

The busy road leading out of Tavistock has been closed to traffic since the beginning of February while developer David Wilson Homes (part of Barratt Developments PLC) carries out sewerage, the gas line and other works for the new Embden Grange estate being built. While closed, a new footpath is also being installed, which has seen a narrowing of the road width. The road was proposed to be closed for around three months with an anticipated reopening date in mid May.

The development of 110 houses was opposed by both Tavistock Town and West Devon Borough Councils but was granted on appeal by a government planning inspector.

Concerns have also been raised about an ‘unofficial’ diversion being taken by large vehicles since the road’s closure down a single lane coming out on the A386 near Mount Kelly. A resident told the Times the route was becoming a ‘rat run’ with ‘fast and irresponsible drivers’ who had a lack of regard for single road etiquette, destroying verges and endangering pedestrians with their driving.