WIDESPREAD disruption is being predicted with the closure of one of the main routes between Cornwall and Devon. The A390 through Gunnislake is to close for up to nine days because of major work by South West Water. Angry commuters, forced to take an alternative route, say the closure will cost them in time and money ? those travelling between Callington and Tavistock will be directed through a huge detour via Launceston. The A390 through Gunnislake, which carries 10,000 vehicles a day, is being closed for water mains repairs. Ken Bastin, rehabilitation engineer with South West Water, told a public meeting meeting at Gunnislake Social Club last Thursday that the work in volved going across the road, digging by hand. He said: We have flooded the job with three gangs to speed up the work, we are doing everything we can to finish the job in nine days. ?It looks like we might be able to get away with it ? but until we start digging, we really don?t know. ?It?s a massive diversion, but we don?t get any say in the route, it?s basically down to Devon and Cornwall Highways.? Gunnislake resident Elaine Barr said she had to commute several times a day into Liskeard and Callington. She said: ?I will be starting around 7am ? by around 10 o?clock at night I might finally be able to make a dinner ? and there?s all the additional petrol as well. ?I appreciate the need for the work to be done but I don?t think a great deal of thought has gone into the level of inconvenience it?s going to cause.? She was also concerned drivers would use smaller routes to avoid the area, which were often unsalted during cold weather. Vice-chair of Calstock Parish Council Mike Greenwood was concerned at the effect on businesses adjacent to the closure area, which would be affected as much as those within it, who are to be offered compensation. ?Basically, those affected are going to get nothing, even if it affects our businesses by 70%,? he said. ?And this affects the whole parish ? a lot of people are going to be forking out a lot of money as a result of these weeks ? wouldn?t it be nice of SWW to make some sort of gesture to the residents of this area?? Mr Greenwood said many more people were likely to use the bus during the closure and he hoped extra capacity would be made available if it was needed. Graham Colvin, of Gunnislake, said: ?It?s going to cost everyone in this room ? travelling to work will take four or five times longer. ?It?s money on top of our water bills, as opposed to somebody living a mile or two away who pays the same amount. It?s not unreasonable to ask for a reduction in water rates.? Gunnislake resident Sue Rose said many people needed to have a car at work but were being forced to travel an extra 50 miles a day: ?You have to think about, A, the time, everyone has to leave a lot earlier and they will get home a lot later, and B, the money. I cannot personally afford that extra money for the petrol.? Other residents were worried about the safety of the diversions, how they would be able to get to hospital appointments and the state of hedgerows following the works. Mr Bastin said a liaison officer would be based in the Oasis centre in Gunnislake throughout the closure, who would also be available by phone on ? Mr Bastin said SWW was paying for an extra bus to run during the closure ? schedules covering the period would be sent out to residents in the area and if more buses were required, they would be obtained. SWW apologised that, despite being asked, Gulworthy residents had not been written to regarding the closure. The company admitted that as a matter of policy it would not be paying compensation to businesses adjacent to the closure area, but would investigate the possibility of a goodwill gesture to the parish council. The road is due to be closed at 9am on Saturday February 18 and will re-open by midnight on Sunday February 26. Diversion signs have already been erected.
