A38 Whitecleave and Mardle viaducts, Buckfastleigh – essential joint replacement and drainage works

From National Highways

We are carrying out 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.

We are committed to ensuring that the region’s roads are fit for now and for the future. Our work will improve safety and reduce the risk of future unplanned closures. 

How we’ll be working

We’ll be working during the day with some of our noisier works at Whitecleave viaduct to limit disruption for local residents and businesses. The rest of our works will take place overnight to limit disruption to road users.   

To enable our teams to work safely, the A38 will have traffic management in place between Wednesday 02 September 2026 and Monday 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 – Friday, 8pm – 6am, unless otherwise stated.

Wednesday 02 September – Thursday 03 September (8pm – 6am). Please note, westbound closure will start from Peartree for these two nights.

Friday 04 September – Friday 23 October (Monday – Friday, 8pm – 6am). There will be no overnight closures during October half term 26-30 October

Monday 02 November – Wednesday 04 November (8pm – 6am). Please note, westbound closure will start from Peartree.

Monday 14 December – Sunday 20 December (10.30pm – 6am). There will be no overnight closures over the Christmas and New Year period.

Monday 04 January – Monday 25 January  (Monday – Friday, 8pm – 6am) 

Well signed diversions will be in place via Dartington (A384, A385). 

Access will be maintained 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

From 8.00pm Wednesday 02 September until 6.00am 21 December. 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

From 9.00am Thursday 17 September until 4.00pm Tuesday 22 September, inclusive. 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. 

We understand that roadworks can be frustrating, but we are working to complete these essential works as safely and efficiently as possible, with the least disruption to residents and the travelling public.   

More travel information   

To keep up to date with our work, please visit  https://nationalhighways.co.uk/roads-and-travel/road-projects/south-west/a38-corridor-exeter-to-plymouth/ or follow us on X at @HighwaysSWEST   

You can also check out our daily closures page,  sign up to our subscription service and receive regular emails on planned works.