Funding for vital road links in Devon
Devon County Council has received £4.7 million of funding towards two vital road schemes which will help deliver economic growth and tackle congestion.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has today (Friday 31 May) announced the latest £165 million of Local Pinch Point funding, with Devon successfully bidding for £2.96 million towards the Crediton Link Road and £1.75 million for the Tithebarn Link Road which accesses the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point.
Final plans for the Crediton Link Road were approved by Devon County Council’s Cabinet earlier this week. The single carriageway will provide a direct route to the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate from Wellpark roundabout on the A377.
The scheme aims to ease congestion and improve air quality along Exeter Road as well as Charlotte Street, East Street and Mill Street. By reducing delays it will support town centre businesses while supporting economic growth with improved access to the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate. It will also unlock access to residential and employment land which could deliver 800 jobs.
The £6.2 million Tithebarn Link Road scheme will create a new connection from Cumberland Way, passing to the south of the existing Monkerton village, to the Science Park drive via the M5 bridge at Tithebarn Lane. It will provide access across the motorway to approximately 1,000 new homes and will also unlock approximately 5,800 homes in Monkerton and Cranbrook, as well as employment development which could generate 3,000 jobs in the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point. This route will ease congestion and reduce the impact of traffic on Junction 29 of the M5. It will also provide a vital bus route to connect Cranbrook, Skypark, Science Park and Monkerton with Exeter City Centre.
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “Improving the county’s infrastructure and transport links is vital to our local economy and it’s important that congestion does not hamper economic growth. We’re pleased that the Government has recognised the importance of these schemes which offer high value for money in terms of removing problem bottlenecks on our roads. Air quality and congestion have been long-running issues in Crediton and funding is welcome for this scheme which will get underway this Summer. The Tithebarn Link Road is a longer term project which will complement the recently improved infrastructure at Junction 29 of the M5 and Redhayes Bridge.”
Councillor Nick Way, Devon County Councillor for Crediton Rural, said: “This is very good news for our area and now that some of the initial clearing work has been completed it is another step towards starting the road’s construction during the summer as quoted by the designers. It will be an alternative route for drivers now struggling through the narrow streets on the Eastern side of the town and is expected to improve air quality for residents.”
Councillor Emma Morse, Devon County Councillor for Pinhoe and Mincinglake, said: “I am delighted to see this funding awarded to the Tithebarn Link Road. The Link Road will help to ease congestion in the North East of the city, making the traffic flow through Pinhoe smoother at peak times.”
Construction of the Crediton Link Road is scheduled to start during the summer and is due to be open by the end of 2014, while work on the Tithebarn Link Road is expected to get underway in Summer 2014, with completion due in Spring 2015.
