THE start of the new year looks set to bring further traffic problems on New Road in Okehampton. New Road, the major route coming in from the west of Okehampton, has already been plagued by traffic problems for the past two years, caused by the 'temporary' traffic lights. This will be compounded between Monday January 7 and Friday January 11 when it is planned to close New Road between Castle Lane and Moyses Lane. The road will be closed during daylight hours but any such closure will inevitably cause traffic chaos in Okehampton. Devon Highways Authority has said the road will be closed for 'essential carriageway works' and for grass and hedge cutting. Okehampton county councillor, Christine Marsh, has expressed her dismay at the proposed closure and has contacted Highways to try and find an alternative solution to the problem. She said: 'It is just ridiculous that they plan to close the road at these times. I have been in contact with Highways and urged them to look at alternatives. 'The work needs doing but this is a busy town and it is a main road. To close the road at such a busy time is ridiculous.'
