Drivers on the A30 have described “surreal scenes” after a vehicle fire and fuel spillage closed a stretch of the road in Devon this afternoon (Monday, December 30). A diversion route was put in place but some drivers have been trapped inside the closure for around two hours.
A motorist said that traffic was at standstill heading westbound between Exeter and Okehampton. There was reportedly around five miles of tailbacks with some drivers getting out of their cars.
One driver told Devon Live: “Surreal scenes on A30 between Okehamton and Tedburn junction – traffic heading towards Cornwall at complete standstill. Miles of cars with their lights off and boots and doors open – like something from an apocalypse- not even exaggerating. Went on for miles – at least three miles, probably more like five.”
A second added: “Hundreds of cars still stuck on A30 after nearly two hours. No information. No news on when road will reopen. Rumour is that spillage after vehicle fire has closed road.
“Why can’t the police deal with a spillage in less than two hours? Some drivers say they will clear it up with their own clothing and throw clothes away to avoid sitting here door another two hours. No attempt to turn traffic round and send it back around country roads. The trapped traffic goes on for miles.”
Traffic chaos on the A30 in Devon this evening (December 30)
Emergency services called to vehicle fire and fuel spillage
National Highways said: “An earlier vehicle fire has resulted in a fuel spillage that is affecting the westbound carriageway. Foam used by the Fire Service to extinguish the fire is now covering the carriageway and making driving conditions unsafe. Devon & Cornwall Police are leading the scene with National Highways contractors en route to assist.”
At 5.30pm, National Highways added: “The #A30 remains CLOSED westbound in #Devon between the #A377 #Exeter and the #A382 near #Okehampton. We have finally convinced @DC_Police to allow traffic to pass slowly in 1 lane past the scene. Traffic should start to move soon but this will be a slow process.”
For all of the latest updates from the A30, follow our live blog here.