A38 Corridor – Exeter to Plymouth
We’re working on a range of enhancements along the A38 in Devon, between Exeter and Plymouth.
How we'll work
To work safely, we’ll use a combination of traffic management. This could include:
- lane closures
- full closures
- contraflow
- convoy working
Where needed, we'll put well signed diversions in place.
We'll give details of where we're working and the traffic management we're using on this page.
A38 Mardle and Whitecleave viaducts, Buckfastleigh. Essential joint replacement and drainage works
Upcoming works
To enable our teams to work safely, the A38 will have traffic management in place between 2 September 2026 and 25 January 2027.
Access to Buckfastleigh will be maintained throughout our works.
Please plan ahead and allow plenty of time for journeys:
Full overnight closures
Overnight closures of the A38 in both directions between Dart Bridge and Marley Head, plus associated slip roads.
Full closures are Monday to Friday (8pm-6am), unless otherwise stated.
Wednesday 2 to Thursday 3 September
Westbound closure will start from Peartree for these two nights.
Friday 4 September to Friday 23 October
There will be no overnight closures during October half term 26 to 30 October.
Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 November
Westbound closure will start from Peartree.
Monday 14 to Sunday 20 December (10.30pm-6am)
There will be no overnight closures over the Christmas and New Year period.
Monday 4 to Monday 25 January 2027
Diversions
Well signed diversions will be in place by Dartington (A384, A385).
We'll maintain access to properties directly within the closure area.
Please follow the signed diversion routes rather than following sat navs or using local cut throughs. This will help to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.
Local traffic from Buckfastleigh wanting to travel westbound will still be able to join the A38 at the Dean Court Farm Shop on slip.
Lane closures
Wednesday 2 September to Monday 21 December (8pm-6am)
24/7 lane closures will be in place on the A38 in both directions at Buckfastleigh.
A 40mph speed limit and average speed cameras will be in place. One narrow lane will remain open in each direction.
Temporary traffic lights
Thursday 17 to Tuesday 22 September (9am-4pm)
There will be temporary traffic signals in operation 24/7 on Old Totnes Road.
Dates may change at short notice due to poor weather conditions or operational reasons. If we’re unable to complete our work as planned, we may need to continue beyond the dates stated.
Background
We’re doing essential joint replacement and drainage works on the A38 at Whitecleave and Mardle viaducts near Buckfastleigh.
We previously carried out short-term repair works to keep the bridges safe and operational.
The current scheme will provide a full replacement of the bridge joints, delivering a long-term solution.
Our work will improve safety and reduce the risk of future unplanned closures.
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
A38 Wobbly Wheel to Splatford safety improvement scheme
Upcoming works
We’ll be working over night (Monday – Friday, 8pm to 6am) between 1 September and 12 October 2026, subject to suitable weather conditions.
To complete the work safely and efficiently, we’ll use a mixture of full closures and short sections where traffic will be guided through the works at a reduced speed between junction 31 and Kennford.
A full closure will be in place between the Kennford exit and entry slips.
Diversion
During closures, drivers travelling westbound towards Plymouth (A38) or Torquay (A380) will be diverted as follows:
- leave the M5 at junction 31
- follow the A30 westbound to Ide roundabout
- at Ide roundabout
- follow the signed diversion via A377
- Church Road
- Alphin Brook Road
- Bad Homburg Way
- join the A379 and continue south towards Kennford
- at Kennford, rejoin the A38
Background
We’re delivering targeted safety improvements on the A38 westbound between Wobbly Wheel and Splatford.
This involves enhancing signage on four gantries to help reduce risk and improve safety for road users.
This location has been prioritised due to the number of collisions and the severity of injuries.
The improvements are designed to support safer driver decision making and reduce the likelihood and impact of incidents.
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
A38 Lee Mill to Ivybridge drainage scheme
We’re improving drainage and enhancing safety on the A38 between Lee Mill and Ivybridge.
We'll be:
- working from November 2026 to October 2027
- maintaining capacity on the A38 via a contraflow system
Reduced speed limits will be in place for the majority of the works.
We'll share full details in due course.
Project information
Overview
The A38 forms part of the strategic road network in the South West. It carries high volumes of local and tourist traffic.
The A38 forms one of two keys routes (A38 and A30) that link Devon and Cornwall with the rest of the Westcountry.
Our improvements will make journeys safer, smoother and more reliable.
They'll include:
- safety scheme at Wobbly Wheel to Splatford
- ash dieback and at-risk tree clearance alongside the route
- improving the drainage systems and enhancing safety from Lee Mill to Ivybridge
Benefits
The A38 is vital to Devon and Cornwall’s economy. Our improvements will help keep the counties moving by:
- enhancing safety for all road users
- reducing the risk of unplanned closures
Documents
Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.Sign up for updates!
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