DCC Leader responds to letter from Chamber, after culvert works in Kingsbridge to take "at least 20 weeks"

Leader of Devon County Council, Councillor Julian Brazil, has responded to a letter sent by South Hams Chamber calling the Kingsbridge culvert works "a prolonged and poorly managed situation". 

Devon County Council yesterday released a statement, which said that the works to fix the collapsed culvert at the bottom of Fore Street will take "at least 20 weeks" more, moving the expected completion date from February to late August. 

The culvert works in Kingsbridge - credit Kingsbridge Town Council 

This statement is thought to have been prompted by a letter written directly to Cllr Brazil from Samantha Dennis, chairman of South Hams Chamber, calling the situation on the ground in Kingsbridge "untenable". 

She said: "The management of the project has been unacceptable from the outset. There has been a persistent failure by Devon County Council to communicate clearly, plan effectively, or demonstrate ay meaningful sense of urgency. This has left residents and businesses frustrated, disrupted and increasingly angry.

"Kingsbridge is now widely being described as chaotic. This is damaging the town's reputation and placing real strain on its local economy." 

We contacted Cllr Julian Brazil and asked for a response to this letter. He sent us the reply he sent to South Hams Chamber. 

The letter states:

"Thank you for your letter from the Chamber.

"The initial works were to inspect a suspected blocked culvert under the road. The works uncovered a much more extensive culvert collapse where water had scourged out a large amount of material creating a void. It was only at this stage that the scale of works became apparent. As you say it is a complex job. As well as repairing the culvert, there are an array of utilities including gas, electric and telephone cables combined with an uncollaborative approach from South West Water (no surprise there.)

"None of it was helped by the continual rainfall which has only really ceased in the last weeks. And of course, the whole area is in the tidal zone as part of reclaimed land. The works include over pumping the water to allow works to take place.

"It is unfair to say there was a lack of preparation, detailed plans, contingencies and timescales etc. The large void was not known, and we were lucky a vehicle had not gone through the road. The size and scale of the void is now visible.

"It became apparent a new large drain in the taxi rank was required, it was closed and a temporary rank provided. A new Coleridge Bus stop is also in place. The district council also reduced prices at Fore St carpark, and I understand provided funding (indirectly) for some of the signs. And thank you for your involvement with the signs.

"I would agree with you that the signage has been poor, and I’ve not been happy with the response from Highways. Obviously, it was not helped with the Slapton Line closure, but they had clear instructions around the chaotic messaging.

"We have called for longer shifts and weekend working but the works required are highly skilled. There may simply not be enough extra workers capable to fulfil these increased hours, but they have been left in no doubt that speed is vital for the sake of the town. I have also asked, with Cllr O’Callaghan, to see if we can introduce further reductions or changes to the carparking regime.

"None of us wanted this but I am confident if we all pull together, we can make the best of a bad lot. As a local, I absolutely understand the importance of Kingsbridge and the Fore Street to the vitality of our community. You can rest assured I will be doing everything in my powers to get the project completed as soon as possible." 

The works covering the road and pavement outside Boots - credit Kingsbridge Town Council 

The one bit of good news is that the traffic lights have been removed from the bottom of Fore Street for the Bank Holiday Weekend.