Two sets of roadworks over 500 miles apart at either end of Britain have been the subject of similarly adverse public reaction.

Drivers in Okehampton in Devoin are being advised to take extra care as a key route through the town has reopened following recent disruption caused by roadworks which saw over 200 instances of drivers going the wrong way.

Councillor James Grainger has confirmed that utility company Wales & West have reopened a west-to-east route through the town after agreeing to return to the original traffic plan approved with Devon County Council, says Torbay Today.

In a public update, Cllr Grainger said he had “been able to convince Wales & West to reopen a west-to-east route in town and revert back to the original plan agreed with Devon County Council.”

The route was previously closed after serious safety concerns were raised.

“Wales & West were forced to change the agreed plan after over 200 cars drove the wrong way up Crediton Road,” he said. “The police and Wales and West agreed it was too dangerous to allow traffic to continue.”

While police, highways officers and the contractors believed congestion was largely caused by driver error, Cllr Grainger said the number of mistakes showed that something was not working.

“When so many people are making mistakes, it’s important to ask why mistakes are made,” he said. “I felt that if signs were clearer, drivers would not get confused and make mistakes.”

Signage has now been improved, and Wales & West have agreed to try reopening the route again.

Meanwhile, Fife Council officials have said lessons have been learned after controversial roadworks in Methil sparked a major community backlash.

Members of Levenmouth Area Committee held a special meeting seeking answers on the active travel scheme project on Methilhaven Road and Sea Road, according to Fife Today.

The scheme, which includes traffic lights replacing the previous roundabout, has led to disruption in the area and, in November, attracted anger from locals affected by the work.

Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages councillor Tom Adams said communications had been a major issue throughout the roadworks process.

“When you have a line of 26 businesses and we send them a letter saying we are going to start, and we send that letter two days before we start the work, that is absolutely terrible,” he said. “We have to get really better than that.

“The money getting spent in this area is more than welcome. We have been needing it for that long it is unbelievable. It really improves the area, not yet, but we have to get better in communications and that, for me, is the biggest problem we have.”

Leven, Kennoway and Largo councillor, Eugene Clarke, added: “In general, my concerns are that this is essentially a communication problem. No-one is questioning the whole concept benefit and active travel.”

Councillor Ken Caldwell, who represents Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages, said attention should be paid to who was told about the works.

“One of the main things about the communication is as well as the timing and the effect as to the breadth of who is informed,” he said. “One of the aims is looking at how we can improve things for the future. The main thing for me is how we have been informed about it.

“It is good to see investment in the area and it will make a difference.”

(Picture: Maplillary)