Public exhibition on traffic calming scheme

A public exhibition will be held by Devon County Council on proposals to introduce traffic calming measures on Blundell’s Road in Tiverton.

With housing and employment development planned to the east of Tiverton, improvements are needed on the local road infrastructure.

Members of the local community are invited to comment on planned improvements at an exhibition at Best Western Tiverton Hotel from 11am- 5pm on Thursday 22 January and 2pm-7pm on Friday 23 January.

The Tiverton Eastern Urban Extension (Tiverton EUE) proposals involve new homes, new retail development and new employment space over 153 hectares between the A361, Manley Lane, the Grand Western Canal and West Manley Lane.

Environmental enhancement and traffic calming measures are also being planned for Blundell’s Road, between Heathcoat Way and Hartnoll Cross, in order to reduce the volume and speed of traffic, improve pedestrian safety, enhance cycle provision and create an attractive environment.

A range of proposals include creating a 20mph zone between Horsdon Garage and Tidcombe Lane, reducing carriageway width where possible to increase space for pedestrians, providing safe crossing locations, the introduction of cycle facilities, and ensuring provision for essential traffic such as buses. Existing signs and lighting will be reviewed to reduce street clutter and enhance the environment.

The County Council is also after feedback on Tidcombe Lane, where it is considering five options. The options involve either making the road one way north bound or one way south bound, between Blundell’s Road and Tidcombe Walk; or the introduction of traffic calming in the form of road humps and a 20mph zone either to the roundabout near Asla Brook, or extended to Tidcombe Primary School. Alternatively, there is an option to do nothing.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “This exhibition is an opportunity for local people to see the range of measures which are being put forward and to have their say to help inform the design of the traffic calming scheme. The Tidcombe Lane element of the proposals has pros and cons on each option, in terms of traffic speeds, traffic volumes and limited pedestrian facilities, so feedback will be important on this and all of the proposals. Whatever is done we want to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of Blundell’s Road as it is a Conservation Area and its special status is being considered in the preparation of the proposals.”

Councillor Des Hannon, Devon County Councillor for Tiverton East, said: “I share residents' mixed feelings about the Eastern Urban Extension. However, this consultation is a wholly positive thing as it offers local people a say in dealing with some of the negative effects of extra traffic. I'm especially pleased that designers have, at the last minute, agreed my request to seek views on a 20mph zone up Tidcombe Lane. I urge residents to take this opportunity to make your views known. Grab this chance.”

The scheme would involve creating distinct areas in different parts of Blundell’s Road, with man-made materials for the stretch from Heathcoat Way roundabout to Blundell’s School, and Tidcombe Lane to the Neighbourhood Centre, and natural materials where possible near Blundell’s School main campus and the area by the Neighbourhood Centre to create a focal point. There would also be landscaping for the rural edge of Tiverton from Neighbourhood Centre to Hartnoll Cross.

The proposals, which are being funded by the developers of the Tiverton Eastern Urban Extension, are being developed in consultation with Mid Devon District Council and Blundell’s School.

Completed questionnaires from the consultation will be collated and reviewed in order to inform the development of the scheme, which will be split into two phases.

Design work on phase one, from Heathcoat Way to Tidcombe Lane, will be completed as soon as possible after reviewing the public responses from the exhibition, with the aim of starting construction later this year, during the school summer holidays. Design of phase two, from Tidcombe Lane to Hartnoll Cross, is planned to continue during the delivery of the allocated development sites within the urban extension scheme.