Exeter drivers warned of two weeks of night closures on key route

Drivers travelling in and out of Exeter face a series of overnight road closures next month as essential resurfacing work is carried out on the busy A377 at Cowley Bridge.

Devon County Council has confirmed that major maintenance and lining improvements will take place from Tuesday 10 March to Tuesday 24 March 2026, affecting a key stretch of road used by thousands of commuters each day.

The works will cover the section of the A377 from just north of the junction with St Andrews Road up to and including Cowley Bridge Roundabout.

To allow the work to be carried out safely, the road will be closed to traffic between 8pm and 6am on weeknights throughout the two-week period.

For the first four nights, Cowley Bridge roundabout is expected to remain open under three-way temporary traffic lights to maintain access to the A396 Stoke Road and Wrefords Drive.

READ NEXT: Closure threat sparks campaign to save Little Exeter children's play space

However, for the final five nights of the project, the roundabout itself will need to be fully closed between 10pm and 6am while resurfacing is completed.

Devon County Council said the scheme is necessary to improve safety and the overall condition of the road.

“These essential works will restore the surface and improve safety for the travelling public,” a spokesperson said.

“Due to the nature of the works being undertaken they are weather dependent. Any changes to the dates will be shown on the electronic signage present.”

Motorists are being urged to plan journeys in advance and allow extra time where possible, as diversions are likely to be in place during the closures.

The A377 through Cowley Bridge is one of the main routes into Exeter from Crediton and North Devon, and the roundabout is a key junction linking traffic towards Stoke Hill, Cowley and the city centre.

The council has said detailed information about diversions and the exact extent of the works will be displayed on roadside electronic signs in the area closer to the start date.

The resurfacing forms part of an ongoing programme of highway maintenance across Exeter and Devon, which includes a number of other improvement schemes planned for 2026.

Further updates on the Cowley Bridge closures will be available via Devon County Council’s live roadworks information service.