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Update as of 05/08/25

A377 reopens following completion of works

The A377 is now fully open to all traffic and pedestrians. All road closures, restrictions, and temporary signage have been removed, and permanent traffic lights have been re-commissioned.

We’d like to thank residents and local businesses for their patience and understanding whilst the works have been underway.

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Update as of 04/08/25

Jet cleaning of the drains is taking place on site today as planned, in preparation for the re-opening of the A377. The Highways Team is on schedule, and a sweeper lorry will also be on site tomorrow to complete final preparations.

At this stage, the re-opening of the A377 remains on track for tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday, 5 August), following the removal of all road closures and signage, and the re-commissioning of the permanent traffic lights.

We will continue to monitor progress and provide further updates as required.

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Update as of 01/08/25

The demolition team has been on site all week with work progressing well. Stage one of the demolition is now completed.

Scaffold contractors were also on site to remove sections of the scaffolding to facilitate the demolition of the front walls and to install additional propping to an identified area on the Bewsley Hill side of the building. The scaffold team returned to site later in the week to progress with the stage two internal works. In addition, scaffolding is to be reinstated to the front of the building to accommodate a hoarding structure.

Southway Construction has begun the erection of this hoarding, which will also provide a storm water diversion, with the addition of sandbags at the bottom of Bewsley Hill. The hoarding contractors hope to be completed on site by Tuesday, 5 August.

Next week, drain clearance and jetting has been organised by the Highways Team and is due to take place on Monday 4 August. In addition, a sweeper lorry will be onsite on Tuesday in preparation for the opening of the A377.

The permanent traffic lights are to be re-commissioned and checked and all of the road closures and signage are due to be removed by Tuesday, 5 August to enable to A377 to re-open later that day.

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Update as of 18/07/25

Works to erect further scaffolding to enable the safe and controlled demolition of the Cross Hotel have now completed. This has enabled the contractor to begin demolition works (from 17 June), with initial works focused on the removal of roofing slates and timbers. The scaffold team is expected to return to site next week (w/c 21 July) to remove and amend elements of the scaffold structure in order to allow the controlled demolition works to continue.

Following on from engagement with neighbours relating to concerns around flood risk associated with the works, a package of works has been agreed to address any risk – including the jetting of storm gullies after the first phase of demolition works is complete.

Further updates will be provided as works progress and the council’s (Mid Devon District Council and Devon County County) will continue to work to enable the A377 to re-open as soon as it is safe to do so.

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Update as of 14/07/25

Work to erect further temporary scaffolding to support the building are now expected to complete on the 16/07. The first phase of demolition works are expected to commence shortly thereafter. Works are still expected to take 4-5 weeks to complete with the A377 reopening ASAP thereafter.

Please also note that, after multiple breaches of the safety cordon, CCTV has now been erected on site. For your own safety, please do not breach the safety cordon.

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Update as of 04/07/25

After additional engineering input, further scaffolding works are expected to be undertaken from Monday 7 July. This is expected to facilitate the first phase of demolition works, scheduled to commence on Monday 14 July. Because of the complexity of the works involved and the proximity to the public highway, it is expected that the works could take 4-5 weeks to complete with the A377 reopening ASAP thereafter.

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Update as of 30/06/25

Demolition preparations on site are ongoing, with initial internal works now complete. Progress on initial demolition work is currently dependent on further assessment by engineers, who are due to attend site this week. Safety remains the top priority, and all parties are proceeding with appropriate caution due to the complex nature of the structure. Once the necessary engineering input is received, demolition works are expected to recommence. We continue to work closely with contractors to support safe progress and enable the reopening of the A377 as soon as possible.

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Update as of 23/06/25:

Initial demolition work on the Cross Hotel has begun this morning. Officers from North and Mid Devon Building Control will be monitoring progress on the site and working with all parties to ensure work progresses to make the site safe, allowing for the reopening of the A377 as soon as possible.

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Update as of 18/06/25:

Scaffolding is being erected in anticipation of works commencing shortly. A further update will be provided as soon as possible.

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Soft demolition works at the Cross Hotel in Copplestone have now been completed, marking a significant step forward to make the structure safe and enable the reopening of the A377.

Scaffolders are currently on site to finalise the internal propping required to allow safe external demolition. Once this stage is complete, from next week, the demolition team will begin the controlled removal of the building's external walls - phase one of demolition is expected to complete by Thursday 31 July.

Immediately following this, hoarding works are scheduled to take place to secure the site and support ongoing safety management.

The works remain complex due to the location and condition of the building, but all parties involved continue to work collaboratively to progress safely and swiftly.

It is hoped that these works will enable the reopening of the A377 during the week commencing 4 August.

Councillor Steve Keable, Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Regeneration, said:

“We appreciate the patience of residents and local businesses throughout this process.

“Both the district and county councils have worked closely with the property owners throughout the process to ensure the works are progressing safely and responsibly.

“The road closure has understandably had a significant impact on local residents and businesses, and every effort is being made to support the reopening of the A377 at the earliest safe opportunity.”

In response to community concerns about drainage and potential flood risk, the property owners have now instructed a specialist contractor to attend site to clear drainage in the car park area. Further drain clearance for the road-side section will follow completion of demolition works.

Further updates will be issued as work continues to progress, and a record of previous works updates can be viewed here.