In a stark U-turn, visitors to Kingsbridge car parks will now experience free parking between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. daily.

Following the recent extension of the road closure at the bottom of Fore Street, Devon County Council (DCC) and South Hams District Council (SHDC) have announced free parking for Quay Long Stay and Fore Street car parks until further notice.

In February, residents were told there would be “no further concessions to parking”, despite the ongoing culvert investigation and road closure extended by an initial 18 weeks.

Signage has appeared around the town to inform car park users that “no ticket will be required” during the allotted timeframe.

The investigation work was originally due to be completed by February 6. However, this date was extended until April 20 after a large hole was found beneath the road, complicating works and requiring multi-agency intervention.

The road is now expected to last a further 20 weeks, but no exact date has been given.

Kingsbridge Mayor Julia Wingate described the introduction of free afternoon parking as “a real opportunity to bring people back into town after a challenging start to the year,” adding that both in her civic role and as a Fore Street shop owner, she has seen first-hand the impact of the closure.

“I’m personally looking forward to welcoming customers,” she said, noting that the incentive could encourage visitors to “take their time browsing our brilliant independent shops, enjoying a late lunch or early dinner, catching a film, or relaxing at the pool.”

Wingate also stressed the wider economic importance of supporting local businesses, pointing to research suggesting “around 75% of money spent in an independent business stays in the local economy.”

Kingsbridge Town Clerk Katherine Harrod confirmed that the timeline for the works remains fluid.

“The culvert works remain exceptionally complex,” she said, explaining that much of the excavation must be carried out by hand due to a “dense network of pipes, utilities and services” beneath the road.

Harrod added that contractors will begin working some Saturdays due to the specialist nature of the work.

Improved signage and traffic management measures are also being introduced following meetings with affected traders.

SHDC and DCC confirmed the free parking initiative is a direct response to the ongoing disruption.

The temporary measures are intended to “encourage more people into the centre of Kingsbridge to support businesses while essential works affect roads in the heart of the town.”

Councillor Dan Thomas said both councils recognise “how important Kingsbridge’s town centre is to local residents, businesses and visitors,” acknowledging that the works are causing “unavoidable disruption.”

Thomas added that the concession aims to “make it easier for people to continue supporting the town while this essential infrastructure project is completed.”

Councillor Julian Brazil echoed this, stating the roadworks are “likely to have had a disruptive effect on town businesses,” and that the joint initiative is designed to “lessen the impact” and support the local economy.

Despite public frustration, council leaders have made clear that the works cannot be paused.

Cllr Thomas noted that while some residents have called for traffic lights to be removed, “the work needs to be done,” with timing dictated by the need for drier conditions.

For now, councils insist the priority remains safety and long-term resilience.