DEVON County Council has confirmed that the emergency closure of the A396 between Bickleigh Bridge and Tiverton near Ashley, Tiverton should be temporarily lifted over the weekend. 

It said that it was closed yesterday evening, Thursday, October 19, after a large void was found under the road during gas works close to Ashley Rise. 

Today, Friday, October 20, a DCC spokesperson said that investigations had been carried out and that it was planning to re-open one lane, with temporary traffic lights and a 20mph restriction, from tomorrow morning, Saturday, October 21.

The spokesperson added that repairs are due to get underway on Tuesday, when the road will have to be closed again for safety reasons.

It is believed that the repairs will take a week or more to complete.