Exeter Road Closure Delayed Again, Causing Traffic Chaos

As of November 10th, 2025, the reopening of the main road out of Exeter, Heavitree Road, has been delayed for a third time. The road closure, which was initially scheduled to end on October 7th, has now been pushed back to November 21st.

The delays are due to ongoing gas pipe upgrade work being carried out by Wales and West Utilities. The utility company had previously revised the reopening date to October 13th, then November 10th, but has now confirmed the road will remain closed for an additional 11 days.

The extended closure has caused significant traffic disruption in the area, with major tailbacks on other roads in the city. The situation has been exacerbated by concurrent work on another main route, Buddle Lane, also being undertaken by Wales and West Utilities.

According to the utility's performance manager for Devon, Lee Moore, the latest delay is the result of "unexpected engineering difficulties" encountered during the upgrade work. Additionally, the company has been coordinating with the nearby University of Exeter to avoid disrupting on-campus facilities, limiting their work to weekends only.

Despite the inconvenience, Wales and West Utilities has assured the public that the work is "on track" to be completed by November 21st. The extended closure of Heavitree Road has been a significant challenge for Exeter's commuters, but the utility company remains committed to finishing the project as soon as possible.