The A361 at Barnstaple reopened late on Sunday evening after a crash that had forced the dual carriageway to be closed in both directions. The closure affected the stretch between Limekiln Lane (Ashford) and the Murco petrol station roundabout (Chivenor), and disruption was reported across the local road network while emergency services and recovery teams dealt with the incident.
Timeline and local impact
Traffic-monitoring service INRIX first recorded the closure shortly before 21:05 BST. Updates through the evening confirmed the road remained closed as crews attended the scene, with the route not reopening until around 22:10 BST.
"A361 in both directions closed due to accident from Limekiln Lane (Ashford) to the Murco petrol station roundabout (Chivenor)."
Local motorists were advised to expect delays and to avoid the affected stretch where possible. The closure added pressure to alternative routes into and out of Barnstaple, a key junction for traffic crossing North Devon.
Advice for travellers
While the carriageway has now been cleared, drivers in the area should still plan journeys with potential residual delays in mind. Practical steps to reduce disruption include:
- Checking live traffic updates before setting off, via local radio or traffic apps.
- Allowing extra journey time if travelling through Barnstaple or Chivenor.
- Using alternative routes where feasible and following directions from police or traffic officers at the scene.
DevonLive ran live updates throughout the evening and invited readers to submit photos and information from the scene where it was safe to do so.
Evening updates
| Time (BST) | Update |
|---|---|
| c. 21:05 | Road reported closed in both directions |
| 22:10 | Road re-opened, accident cleared |
| 22:24 | End of live reporting confirmed by outlet |
No further details about the circumstances of the collision or any casualties were published in the live coverage. If you were affected by the closure and have information for local reporters, outlets had invited submissions via social channels and email during the live blog.
As always, incidents on major routes such as the A361 remind drivers to take care and for those planning travel in North Devon to remain informed about live traffic conditions.
