Bantham Local Traffic Information 2024

Bantham Swoosh
Saturday 6th July 2024 (swim start 07:30)

The Bantham Swoosh is a world class 6km swim organised by Level Water and their events arm, Swim Collective. It’s an incredibly special event with swimmers coming from all over the world to experience the crystal clear waters, the sandy beaches and to enjoy one of the most beautiful parts of the UK.

Bantham Boomerang
Saturday 6th July 2024 (swim start approx. 18:30)

Level Water: The Power of Swimming

All the profits and funds raised from the Bantham Swoosh go to Level Water who provide 1-1 swimming lessons for children with disabilities.

The best way to truly understand what that means to those children and their families is to watch this video.

And for the first time in 2022, some of the children who Level Water have taught to swim took part in the Mini-Swoosh.

A heartwarming moment as they simply wouldn’t have been able to take part if it wasn’t for the swimmers taking on the Bantham Swoosh.

Traffic Management Plan

We understand the importance of having a detailed, prepared traffic management plan in place for the 6th July, given the impact that increased traffic has on you, the local residents.

We know that the number of cars into the area will be significantly increased as a result of the swim, and that if it is a sunny day, plenty of non Swoosh-related traffic will also be coming into the area. As a result we have put a number of steps in place to ensure that we have the best possible chance of managing a smooth flow of traffic throughout the day. These are;

Professional traffic management (Road Traffic Solutions Limited) to manage the traffic on the day, the same management team as 2023.
Improved communications to ensure open communication between key traffic management points. To make this possible, a portable radio mast will be erected for the day in the middle, highest point of Bantham Cross.
Fewer cars in Bantham. Cars are split between Aveton Gifford and Bantham, with spectators and swimmers utilising our shuttle coaches and new guided walking routes.
Traffic management planning trips. We have and will continue to conduct a number of planning trips to Bantham with regular meetings with The Bantham Estate and both Aveton Gifford and Thurlestone Parish Councils.

Advanced warning signs will be in place two weeks before the event.

Saturday 6th July traffic control - approximate timings

0400 – 12:00
Bantham Swoosh traffic inbound and outbound - one-way control of the Beach Road (purple route) from Bantham Cross to the Sloop Inn when our coach trips are taking place. This road will be open as usual between our coach trips. Please use the alternative diversion route into and out of Bantham (yellow & blue route below) wherever possible.
12:00 - onwards
Beach road open as usual
13:00 - 18:00
Bantham Boomerang traffic inbound via the diversion route (yellow & blue route below) (approx 300 cars)
19:30 - onwards
Bantham Boomerang traffic outbound via main Beach road (purple route)

Purple route/ Bantham Beach Road
04:00 - 12:00 (midday)

Access to Bantham along the controlled beach road for event vehicles and traffic will be supported by our traffic management contractor (RTS) according to this schedule.

We will have a one-way control in place on the beach road (the purple route) periodically whilst coaches move inbound and outbound, allowing the route to be opened to non-event traffic whenever possible, reducing the risk of traffic building up.

Traffic will also be able to follow the flow of coaches: traffic can always travel in at least one direction on the beach road.

Yellow & blue route

In order to manage traffic flow in and out of Bantham for the Bantham Swoosh and Boomerang events, we will also implement a one-way diversion loop.

Important notice, we may implement two-way traffic through this one-way diversion loop where required to alleviate traffic, please take note of signs on the day and be mindful that it might not always be one-way.

The inbound and outbound route will be the same as in 2023, details as follows;

Inbound traffic (to Bantham) via A381 to Huxton Cross and Clanacombe Hill (the blue route)
Outbound traffic from Bantham via Buckland and Thurlestone towards A381 (the yellow route)
2 way temporary traffic lights at the narrow lane (the red circle)

These diversion routes have been chosen to reduce traffic build up and maintain flows in all directions, and hopefully to minimise impact on local residents.

This route will also be managed by RTS throughout the day.

Emergency Access

Emergency access will be maintained throughout the event via the diversion route, or for vehicles on blue lights via the purple route.

All traffic management associated with the road closures will be managed by the traffic management contractor (RTS). The traffic management contractor will ensure all individuals placing signs and/or cones on the highway will be appropriately trained and accredited in accordance with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, specifically chapter 8, and those engaging in traffic direction will be CSAS accredited.

Through the event, a number of marshals will manage traffic into the event parking areas at both Bantham and Aveton Gifford.

Advance Warning Signage

Advance warning signage will be installed in advance of the event as per Devon County Council’s stipulation, two weeks prior to the event. This will be supplied and maintained by our traffic management contractor (RTS) as per the plan below:

Location 1. Bantham
Location 2. Roundabout on A381
Shown to eastbound traffic
Shown to westbound traffic after leaving the roundabout
* Note timing will be updated for each based on times stipulated above.

These are examples of the Advanced Warning signage that will go up before the weekend and on the weekend itself.

Diversion Signage

Prior to the event, diversionary signage will be deployed by our contractor to ensure the attending swimmers follow the diversion route. Closed road signage will be installed prior to the road closure on the morning of Saturday 6th July.

Become a volunteer?

To help the Bantham Swoosh & Boomerang events run as smoothly as possible, we’re looking for a few local people to volunteer and help us out on the day. Local knowledge is very helpful for us so if you’d like to volunteer, please email geri@levelwater.org