by Town Council Reception | May 8, 2026 | Information
This consultation runs from 5 May to 5 August 2026.
Let’s talk about Kingsbridge
Do you live, work or own a business/organisation or second home in Kingsbridge?
Have your say now on what your community needs.
As a local resident, business person or someone passionate about the town, participating in this consultation can make a real difference in shaping its future.
The town needs you to come on board. Completing one of the surveys and/or the comment map will help make sure Kingsbridge thrives as a vibrant and liveable community for years to come.
Take a moment to complete the survey via the link below:
Have Your Say Today – My Kingsbridge – Commonplace
by Town Council Reception | May 7, 2026 | Information
Kingsbridge Culvert Works 2026
A culvert is a structure that lets water flow safely under a road, path, or railway.
The emergency culvert works on Fore Street began after a significant underground collapse was discovered during routine flood‑related inspections during January 2026. Since then, engineers, utility teams, and the Council have been working together to keep the town safe, protect vital infrastructure, and uncover more about Kingsbridge’s past.
Why the Works Are Needed
A large scour hole was found beneath the road surface, caused by a partial collapse of the historic culvert opposite Peacocks at the bottom of Fore Street. The problem has been exacerbated by an exposed South West Water sewer pipe, requiring extremely careful excavation to avoid damage as any upset to the sewer pipe would cause immediate and significant pollution of our beautiful nearby estuary. The area also contains a dense network of utilities including electricity, gas, water and fibre‑optic cables, this has meant that progress has had to be necessarily slow and precise.
A Glimpse Into Kingsbridge’s Hidden History
As engineers began opening up the ground, they uncovered a remarkable piece of the town’s heritage. It’s thought it could be the original “King’s Bridge”
Stonework believed to be part of the original medieval bridge, the structure that gave Kingsbridge its name, was revealed during early excavation. This bridge once crossed the tidal creek before the town grew around it and the watercourse was gradually culverted.
The Chief Engineer, Tarl Martin, has crawled through the safe areas and was able to photograph and document the area so it can be preserved in the town’s historical record. The area is a patchwork of different eras:
- Hand‑laid stonework from Victorian or earlier periods including gothic arches.
- Brick and concrete repairs from the 20th century
- Disused pipework and historic drainage channels from long‑gone utility systems
These layers show how Kingsbridge has evolved, adapting, expanding, and building over earlier structures as the town developed from a creek‑side crossing into a thriving market centre.
Following an investigative walk around town to view the myriad of water courses that meet at the estuary it was noted that the area known as the Old Wash House on Eastern Backway, appears to be of the same construction, brickwork and dating as the “Kings Bridge” – Could these two structures have been created by the same people?
Work undertaken to date
Emergency Road Closure – Fore Street was closed immediately to protect the public and prevent further collapse. All businesses remain open and accessible via diversion routes.
Specialist teams came in to survey the area using Ground Penetrating Radar to map the extremely complex web of underground services. This was essential to avoid accidental damage during the excavation.
A temporary chamber has been constructed in the Taxi Rank to allow water to be pumped away from the damaged section of culvert. This helps to create a safe working environment for engineers inside the void.
A one-way system is now in place around the town to ensure the traffic continues to flow without obstruction. This system will be in place until the works have been completed, this ensures the contractors can work safely in proximity to the traffic flow.
The road has now been cut into and pipes have been installed to enable the watercourse to be diverted from the culvert while the works take place. Over-pumping & heavy machinery including large pumps and generators are being installed to divert the water flow. Various cranes and vehicles have been in use to position the equipment. By the end of March, we can expect to see diesel generators operating during the day, switching to quieter battery units overnight.
As there are currently two vacant offices at Quay House, we’ve been pleased to offer the team a temporary site office for the duration of the works. We’ll also be housing their Wellness Unit in our parking area while they require a contractor on site 24/7.
Due to the extent of the works changes have had to be made to some local services. Our Taxi Rank is temporarily relocated to Quay Car Park. The Coleridge Bus is now operating from Bridge Street – although the main bus station remains operational for all other bus services. The largest change has been the restriction of vehicles on Fore Street to light vehicles only.
Timescales & Next Steps
Due to the complexity of the works which require having to hand dig a trench of approximately 200m it is particularly difficult to provide an accurate timescale for the period of the works, the recent date provided on the Traffic Order from Devon County Highways is 7th September 2026. Tidal issues and weather conditions can also impact the works.
Upcoming phases include
- Full over‑pumping of the culvert
- Careful excavation around the exposed sewer
- Structural repairs to the culvert and reinstatement of the road surface
PLEASE NOTE: During the period of the works there is FREE parking at Quay Car Park and Fore Street Car Park from 2pm to 8am daily.
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank‑you to the contractors and engineers working tirelessly on site, often in challenging conditions, to keep Kingsbridge safe and moving forward. Their professionalism and patience have been outstanding. As the works continue, we encourage everyone to get out, support our brilliant local businesses, and keep the spirit of our community strong. Every coffee, every purchase, every friendly word makes a real difference.
Please note we aim to provide regular updates via our Facebook page, you can also receive updates from Devon County Highways via this link: https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/traffic-information/roadworks/kingsbridge-fore-street/
