Airport access road improvements

Work to upgrade the access road to Exeter International Airport is due to start on Tuesday 26 August.

The £1.4 million scheme will increase the width of the B3184, improving the link from the A30 to Exeter Airport and the nearby Exeter Airport Business Park.

The current narrow width of the road causes traffic congestion, particularly for larger vehicles and HGVs.  Widening the existing layout will improve traffic visibility and increase safety for road users. It will also support growth of the airport and would enable the road to cope with any increase in vehicles.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “The current road isn’t really a suitable access for the airport, so these improvements will be a huge benefit to the airport and its passengers as well as the adjacent business park. As well as improving the road to the airport, these planned works will support the local community, create jobs and support economic growth.”

Matt Roach, Exeter Airport’s Managing Director, said: “We very much welcome this improvement to the main route serving the airport. Whilst we already enjoy excellent dual carriageway connectivity to the A30 junction, this last section of road to the airport has long been in need of improvement and is not befitting of an approach to an international airport. This scheme of work will result in a wider, higher quality approach road and will give our passengers a real sense of arrival at what is the gateway to the South West peninsula.”

Councillor Peter Bowden, local county councillor for Broadclyst and Whimple, said: “I am delighted that work is about to start on improving this road which is not presently a fitting access to an international and regional airport of Exeter’s importance.”

Two way traffic lights will be in operation during the first phase of the project until mid-October, and this will then be followed by the use of three-way lights. Overnight road closures will be required at some stage during the scheme but these are yet to be scheduled.

The scheme is being funded by the Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) Regional Growth Fund.

The access junction to the airport will also be upgraded. The existing pedestrian and cycle crossing will be maintained.

The work will be carried out by contractor SWH Ltd and is expected to be completed in the Spring.

Photo: © Copyright David Smith and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.