The Grand Opening, Fore Street, Kingsbridge

The major emergency infrastructure project to repair the collapsed historic culvert beneath Fore Street in Kingsbridge has officially reached its conclusion. Following months of highly complex engineering, the road officially reopened at 10:00 AM today, Friday, 14 August 2026, a full three weeks ahead of its original September schedule.

This was the scene just before the re-opening of Fore Street. A one way system has been in operation since January 2026, which saw this main access to Fore Street used as the site operations for the culvert replacement.

In January 2026, routine inspections discovered a large, two-metre-deep void under the tarmac opposite Peacocks at the bottom of Fore Street. The historic culvert structure—which lets a tidal watercourse flow underneath the town—had partially collapsed.

The dig site was a literal "Pandora's box". Engineers had to slowly hand-dig around an exposed South West Water main sewer pipe, massive gas mains, and eight high-voltage electricity cables with zero margin for error.

During the excavations, workers uncovered hand-laid Victorian stonework, gothic arches, and what is believed to be the original medieval bridge that gave Kingsbridge its name.

The high-voltage cables have been re-secured, the massive 3-tonne concrete welfare rings are gone, and final resurfacing is complete. Replacement trees will be planted this autumn in partnership with Kingsbridge in Bloom.

As engineers began opening up the ground, they uncovered a remarkable piece of the town’s heritage. It’s thought it could be the original “King’s Bridge”

Stonework believed to be part of the original medieval bridge, the structure that gave Kingsbridge its name, was revealed during early excavation. This bridge once crossed the tidal creek before the town grew around it and the watercourse was gradually culverted.

The Chief Engineer, Tarl Martin, has crawled through the safe areas and was able to photograph and document the area so it can be preserved in the town’s historical record. The area is a patchwork of different eras:

Hand‑laid stonework from Victorian or earlier periods including gothic arches.

Brick and concrete repairs from the 20th century

Disused pipework and historic drainage channels from long‑gone utility systems

These layers show how Kingsbridge has evolved, adapting, expanding, and building over earlier structures as the town developed from a creek‑side crossing into a thriving market centre.

Here are the real heroes who worked during a historic and unprecedented heat wave to complete the arduous job ahead of schedule.

Kingsbridge Town Council marked the occasion with a community ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Town Crier Roger Pinder and Mayor Cllr Julia Wingate.

Emergency vehicles were the first to start a vehicle procession through the newly opened road.

The parade of classic vehicles marked the official community reopening of Fore Street following the major culvert restoration works.

Information from Kingsbridge Town Council.