£4.5m funding for Tithebarn Link Road
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling MP visited Exeter’s Science Park on Thursday (yesterday) and announced £4.5 million of funding to enable Devon County Council to complete the Tithebarn Link Road.
The money, from Highways England’s Housing and Growth Fund, will help deliver the remainder of the Tithebarn Link Road and a new pedestrian / cycle bridge across the M5, adjacent to Tithebarn Lane bridge. Both projects are planned for completion by March 2018.
The link road will relieve pressure on the A30 approach to the city by providing an alternative route for people travelling between the city and developments at Cranbrook, Science Park and SkyPark.
The pedestrian / cycle bridge is to ensure that new and existing residents have safe and convenient access across the motorway as the existing bridge is too narrow.
The grant funding is aimed at unlocking housing growth and will be matched by £4.3m S106 developer contributions. The road will directly serve up to 1,500 planned homes and will enable continued growth at Cranbrook as set out in the East Devon Local Plan.
Councillor John Hart, the Leader of Devon County Council said: “The Minister’s announcement of further economic investment in Devon is fantastic news for the county – it shows once again what can be achieved through having a clear infrastructure plan, a sound business case and an ability to get schemes designed and shovel ready. Importantly, it shows our ability to work effectively with public and private sector partners to provide vital new jobs and homes in the Greater Exeter area.”
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “We’re undertaking the biggest modernisation programme for a generation to bring our roads into the 21st century and give people the safe and reliable journeys they expect.
“But these improvements will do even more – allowing the construction of thousands of homes and the creation of thousands of jobs to give a huge boost to the area’s economy.”
Jim O’Sullivan, Highways England Chief Executive, said: “We’re committed to working with local partners to deliver specific schemes such as these which will make a real difference to communities and support regional economies.
“The improvements we are announcing today are necessary to accommodate the extra journeys the developments will create but without the Government investment they would not have been viable.
“We will continue to use our Growth and Housing Fund and work with a range of local stakeholders to unlock further development sites around the country.”
Chris Fayers, Director of Eagle One Limited said: "This significant investment in key infrastructure enables the private sector to maintain the positive momentum of growth and essential housing delivery in the area. The timing of the Government’s commitment to this project is critical and it is extremely important locally.”
