Marine Drive in Ilfracombe will be closed to through traffic from June 1st for just over a year, North Devon Council has revealed.
A section at the top of Marine Drive will be closed to enable the new Community Watersports Centre to be built at Larkstone. During the construction period, the ‘mushroom’ car park at the top of Marine Drive will also be closed for parking and become a secure works compound for the construction contractor, although pedestrian access will be maintained.
For walkers, the coastal footpath will also be diverted, either up and over the steps into Larkstone car park or up and around Larkstone Lane. The existing slipway will also be closed for access to and from the sea until the construction is complete.
Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor David Worden, said: “Part of Marine Drive will remain open for vehicle access, so some car parking bays will remain open to the public. However, a section near the ‘mushroom’ car park will be closed, so traffic will not be able to gain access through onto Hillsborough Road. A turning circle, enabling cars to drive back down Marine Drive will be created instead. We appreciate that the closure may cause some inconvenience for residents and visitors, and we apologise in advance for this. Access to Larkstone car park will not be affected.”
The watersports centre is expected to be completed by July 2022