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Drivers on Devon’s coast are being asked to prepare for two weeks of overnight highway repairs. The A379 will close between Dawlish and Teignmouth from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, starting Oct. 5 and ending at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. The affected stretch runs from Teignmouth Railway Station to the Shelduck Way roundabout near Dawlish. Devon County Highways says the work is part of routine maintenance and is intended to restore the road surface and improve safety.
Updated May 9, 2026, for U.S. readers.
The A379 is a key coastal route between Teignmouth and Dawlish. Because the road runs close to homes, the seafront and the railway station, there is no simple parallel route. The official diversion is an inland loop that sends Teignmouth traffic through Kingsteignton before reconnecting with the A380, and Dawlish traffic toward the outskirts of Exeter before joining the A380/A38 corridor.
For anyone driving between the two towns at night, the detour will add time. Drivers who use local knowledge may be able to find shorter alternatives, but the county will not publish them. A Devon County Highways spokesperson said that decision was made for safety reasons.
Devon County Highways described the project as essential upkeep. The spokesperson said: “The highway requires maintenance, and these essential repairs will help restore the surface and improve safety.”
The work programme includes patching damaged parts of the road, cleaning the surface, and re-lining the route. Night shifts are necessary because the A379 carries heavy local and tourist traffic during the day. Closing it from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. gives crews a long, uninterrupted window while reducing the impact on commuters and shoppers.
People who live or work inside the closed section will still be able to get in and out. Site marshals will be on hand to manage access, and drivers may need to wait while the contractor checks that it is safe to pass. Devon County Highways also said access for emergency vehicles will always be maintained.
The county expects some delays to be unavoidable, particularly if a property is located close to where the crew is working at the time. Residents should treat the closure as a work zone and expect not to have unrestricted use of the road during the night.
The decision not to advertise alternative routes may seem odd, but it is common on narrow stretches of Devon’s road network. A shortcut through lanes that are familiar to local drivers can be dangerous for visitors and for heavy vehicles. At night, many of these lanes are unlit, and passing places may be difficult to spot.
The official diversion may be longer, but it is built to accommodate normal traffic. Drivers are advised to follow the signed diversion and not rely on sat-nav routes that may lead into unsuitable lanes.
U.S. travelers planning a self-drive holiday in Devon should not be too worried, but they should know what the closure means. If you have booked accommodation in Dawlish, Teignmouth, or the villages between them, check with your host about night-time access. The A379 will be open during the daytime, so most sightseeing will be unaffected.
At night, the safest approach is the official signed detour. Even if a GPS app suggests a faster way, the narrow local roads may be dark, steep and difficult to reverse. Rental cars in the UK are often larger than expected, and Devon’s coast roads demand patience. Add extra time if you are heading to Teignmouth train station for a late-evening arrival.
Road surfacing work can only happen in dry conditions. Rain, strong winds or an unexpected fault in the road could push the work beyond the announced dates. Devon County Council’s Travel Devon service is the best place to check for live updates. The AA also covers major closures in its traffic reports.
If you are planning to drive through the area after 7 p.m., check the latest status before leaving. A closure that was listed for Monday could be delayed to Tuesday if crews cannot work safely.
The simplest option is to plan around the hours. Drivers who can complete their trip before 7 p.m. will likely see very little disruption. Anyone travelling after that time should give themselves extra time and be ready for a longer inland route.
Locals with regular access needs should speak with the county before the work begins if possible. The site marshals will help, but they cannot make the road safe for every exit at every moment. Emergency services, however, will always be able to pass.
Once the work is complete, the refreshed road surface and new markings should improve the experience for everyone using the A379. Until then, the message from Devon County Highways is clear: the closure is essential, the diversion is official, and patience is required.
The A379 overnight closure is a significant disruption for people travelling between Dawlish and Teignmouth after dark. The work is planned to make the highway safer, but it will require two weeks of adjustment. Residents and visitors should plan for the diversion, respect the marshals, and leave extra time for any night-time journey.
