Barnstaple Sainsbury’s car park congested as roadworks cause delays

Customers at Sainsbury’s in Barnstaple have been facing delays in the car park, with some queuing for around 20 minutes to exit, due to ongoing roadworks nearby. 

The delays come as Devon County Council (DCC) carries out improvements to bus lanes on the A3125 in the Roundswell area.

The work, part of the Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP) for North Devon, is aimed at enhancing public transport and easing congestion. 

DCC has stated on its website that the bus lane improvements will result in a new bus lane replacing a grass verge, as well as slight widening of the carriageway to improve traffic flow. The changes are also expected to have a positive impact on general traffic, with better lane allocation, all while maintaining no negative effects on the flow of traffic in the area.

However, for those who frequently shop at Sainsbury’s, the construction work has caused frustration. 

Jon Daniel, one of the customers affected by the delays, explained: “With Gratton Way being opened up to traffic from the new developments off Old Torrington Road, all this puts more and more traffic onto the A3125 link up to the Torridge roundabout – if not now, then in the next few years. I guess it’s very irritating to get stuck for 20 minutes – it’s happened to me. But at least there should be some benefit for it, even if it’s not immediately obvious.”

The Gazette reached out to DCC for comment.

A Devon County Council spokesperson said: “We are continually monitoring traffic flow while the bus lane improvements at Roundswell are carried out. Work is being undertaken by narrowing the road for safety reasons to protect the public and site-staff but lanes remain open in each direction at all times, without using temporary traffic lights. As the scheme moves away from the Gratton Way approach to the roundabout over the next few weeks, the A3125 will be narrowed slightly to install the bus lane and footway, but again the road will remain open in both directions.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We understand that some of our customers have experienced delays exiting our Barnstaple store car park during busier times due to temporary roadworks in the local area. We appreciate our customers’ patience and are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

The roadworks, while causing short-term inconvenience, are part of a larger initiative to improve public transport and overall traffic conditions in the area. 

The new footway, in addition to the bus lane and carriageway improvements, is set to enhance the pedestrian experience, making travel safer and more efficient for all road users.