Final plans for Crediton Link Road approved
A major scheme to reduce congestion and improve air quality in Crediton has been given the green light by councillors today. (Wednesday 29 May)
Devon County Council’s Cabinet unanimously approved final plans and construction costs of almost £8.5million for the long-awaited Crediton Link Road, which will provide a new direct connection into the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate from the A377.
Crediton is a designated Air Quality Management Area and the Link Road forms a key part of Mid Devon District Council’s Air Quality Action Plan. The scheme aims to reduce congestion and improve air quality along Exeter Road and also Charlotte Street, East Street and Mill Street, as well as supporting economic growth by improving accessibility to the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate.
Plans include a 760-metre single carriageway road from Wellpark roundabout on the A377, over Downes Head, and into Marsh Lane within the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate. The new link will mean HGVs can access the estate without having to use Old Exeter Road, which is narrow and suffers from road traffic emission pollution. The road will have a wide shared pedestrian cycleway/footway to provide an off road facility for cycling.
Works at the Exhibition Way junction to improve HGV access to the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate have been added to the scheme following a detailed traffic study, and the junction at the northern end of the link road remodelled to accommodate all movement at the junction and the difficult topography at this location.
The County Council’s Development Management Committee granted planning permission for the scheme in January last year, subject to legal agreements being secured with the Downes Estate and English Heritage for additional landscaping.
Since then land has been acquired, detailed design and construction contact tendering has taken place, and preparation works are complete including advance site clearance and the removal of some trees and hedgerows.
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for economy, enterprise and employment, said:
“We are committed to developing the county’s infrastructure and this new link road for Crediton is one of two major schemes this administration is delivering, which will help grow the Devon’s economy by improving transport links and reducing congestion as well as encourage more employment and investment into the region.
"We have been looking to do this road for a long time now, and we look forward to delivering it.
“The options to improve the air quality and congestion problems in Crediton have been discussed and developed over many years, and I am confident that this scheme will improve the lives of residents in the town by significantly reducing traffic on Exeter Road, Charlotte Street, East Street and Mill Street, which will improve air quality.”
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management and Flood Prevention, said:
“I’m pleased to see this long-awaited scheme is finally nearing fruition.
“The addition of a shared footway/cycleway to make off road provision for cyclist is excellent news for residents. We have a commitment to make Devon a cycling county, and eventually I hope this route will link in with future cycle schemes as part of our impressive cycling network.”
Construction work currently scheduled to start during the summer and the link road to open by the end of 2014.
