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Dear Cllr Brazil,
The people of Kingsbridge have shown remarkable patience. However, with reports now suggesting that the culvert repairs could take a further 20 weeks, that patience has all but run out.
The management of this project has been unacceptable from the outset. There has been a persistent failure by Devon County Council to communicate clearly, plan effectively, or demonstrate any meaningful sense of urgency. This has left residents and businesses frustrated, disrupted, and increasingly angry.
While the complexity of the work is acknowledged, it cannot be used as an excuse for the evident lack of preparation and coordination. A project of this scale should have been supported by a clear, detailed plan with realistic timescales and contingencies in place. That has plainly not happened. No adequate steps were taken to mitigate the impact on the town, and as a result, Kingsbridge Town Council and the South Hams Chamber have been left to deal with the consequences of these failings.
The situation on the ground is now untenable. The diversion along Mill Street is unsafe, particularly given the absence of proper pedestrian crossings. Signage has been inadequate from day one and remains unresolved. Equally concerning is the apparent lack of progress on site—there are frequent periods where no work is visible, yet large sections of the town, including the Bus Station, the area outside the Library, and key pavements and roads, continue to be unnecessarily occupied.
Kingsbridge is now widely being described as chaotic. This is damaging the town’s reputation and placing real strain on its local economy.
As both the County Councillor for Kingsbridge and Leader of Devon County Council, responsibility for this situation ultimately sits with you. We are therefore calling on you to intervene directly, to impose proper oversight on this project, and to ensure that the work is expedited without further delay.
The current trajectory is simply not acceptable. Without immediate and visible improvement, there is a very real risk of lasting economic harm to Kingsbridge—something that could and should have been avoided.
Yours sincerely,
Samantha Dennis
Chairman of South Hams Chamber
