Bantham Local Traffic Information 2025
Bantham Swoosh - Saturday 12th July 2025 (04:30 - 12:30)
Bantham Boomerang - Sunday 13th July 2025 (04:00 - 11:00)
We understand the importance of having a detailed, prepared traffic management plan in place for the 12/13th 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 (South Coast Traffic Management) to manage the traffic on the day.
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 popular guided walking routes for spectators.
Traffic management planning trips. We have conducted 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.
Our traffic staff
All traffic management associated with the Bantham Swoosh and Boomerang swims will be managed by the Traffic Management contractor South Coast Traffic Management.
Through the event, a number of marshals will manage traffic into the event parking areas and along the traffic routes. Some of these will be kind-hearted volunteers who are giving up their free time to help out. Please be kind to them. If you need to direct any traffic feedback (on the day or otherwise) - please contact Lucy on 07912 432 660 or lucy@levelwater.org.
Saturday 12th July traffic control
Purple route: Main inbound and outbound route for Bantham Swoosh swim coaches.
Blue route: Main inbound route for Bantham Swoosh swim traffic (cars and campervans).
Yellow route: Main outbound route for Bantham Swoosh swim traffic (cars and campervans).
Purple route (Bantham Road) - key information
Please note;
Bantham road (shown in purple below) will be our main route for our coaches taking swimmers to and from the swim start and end.
Whilst our coaches are taking swimmers from Bantham to the start of the swim at Aveton Gifford, the Bantham road (purple) will be one way only.
The one-way system applies to Bantham road from Bantham Beach through to Outside cafe.
When the one-way system is in place. All locals can use alternative inbound and outbound routes as noted by the yellow and blue routes in the map below or wait and grab yourself a coffee at Outside cafe.
Locals can also follow the coaches in whichever direction they are travelling.
Approximate timings
0330 - 0430: Empty coaches arriving inbound from Bantham Cross to Bantham Beach. One-way inbound route will apply to all traffic.
0500 - 0715: Coaches leaving outbound from Bantham Beach to Aveton Gifford with swimmers. A maximum of 4 coach trips in total leaving with swimmers between 0500 and 0700. One-way outbound route will apply to all traffic.
0715 - 0815: Bantham road open as normal
0815 - 0830: Coaches arriving inbound from Aveton Gifford to Bantham Beach with spectators. One-way inbound route will apply to all traffic.
0830 - 1000: Bantham road open as normal
1000 - 1215: Coaches leaving outbound from Bantham Beach to Aveton Gifford with swimmers. One-way outbound route will apply to all traffic.
12:30 - onwards: Bantham road open as normal.
Yellow & Blue route (through West Buckland) - Key information
Please note;
In order to manage traffic flow in and out of Bantham for the Bantham Swoosh, we will also utilise a one-way diversion loop as shown by the yellow and blue routes on the map above.
Please note: 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 and 2024, 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 land (the red circle)
These diversion routes have been chosen to reduce traffic build up and main flows in all directions, and hopefully to minimise impact on local residents.
Emergency Access
Emergency access will be maintained throughout the event via the diversion route, or for vehicles on blue lights via the purple route.
Advance Warning Signage
Advance warning signage will be installed in advance of the event as per Devon County Council’s stipulation. This will be supplied and maintained by our traffic management contractor (South Coast Traffic Management).
Aveton Gifford - Timbers Yard Car Park
Please note that, as in previous years, the Timbers Yard car park will be utilised for swimmer drop off and coach turning on the morning of the event.
If possible, it would be advisable to avoid using the car park on the morning of the swim, from 0400 - 0830. We will be cordoning off a number of parking spaces that we require for the event from 5pm Thursday 10th July, the spaces that we require are shown in the image below.
We are blocking off these spaces in order to make room for disabled swimmers drop off and coach turning, however the remaining spaces will be available if residents do need to utilise the car park on this day.
The first coach is due to arrive at the Timbers Yard car park from around 5am and then there will be a steady flow of coaches until approximately 0830. Normal parking spaces will be resumed around 0830.
Our traffic management team are briefed to only allow residents into the Timbers Yard car park, and will not allow any general visitors or Bantham Swooshers to park in the car park on the morning of the swim. All coaches are also briefed not to drive through Fore Street.
Sunday 13th - Bantham Boomerang
Key Information
There are no formal traffic control measures in place for The Boomerang swim on Sunday.
This is due to;
No coach movements being required to facilitate the swim
The main inbound swim traffic period being from 0400-0630
The outbound swim traffic being dispersed through the hours of 0900-1100
We are expecting around 300 cars to leave over the three hour period.
Approximate timings
All day: Bantham road open as normal for all but traffic flow will be managed by South Coast Traffic Management
0400 - 0630 Expected high inbound Bantham Boomerang traffic
0900 - 1100 Expected high outbound Bantham Boomerang traffic
1100 onwards: Bantham road open as normal for all
Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding for any inconvenience caused by our swims.
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 volunteers@levelwater.org
Contact Us
If you have any questions, you can email lucy@levelwater.org or phone her on 07912 432660
Level Water: The Power of Swimming
All the profits and funds raised from the Bantham Swoosh & Boomerang 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.
Some of the children who Level Water teach to swim take 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.
