Science Park link road nears completion

Cumberland Way will be closed for a weekend in April as work on a new road connection to Exeter Science Park nears completion.

The new £3 million road, which is on schedule to open later this Spring, will eventually link Cumberland Way to the existing Tithebarn Lane bridge and the northern end of the Exeter Science Park.

A new roundabout on Cumberland Way, which will be constructed over the coming weeks, will provide a junction from the Tithebarn Link Road. Road closures and traffic management are needed to allow the roundabout to be built.

Cumberland Way will be closed from 7pm on Friday 10 April until 7am on Monday 13 April, to construct the eastern side of the new roundabout.

The road will re-open under traffic signal control to control traffic around the newly-constructed roundabout island until Monday 27 April.

The signals are due to be removed by 7am on Monday 27 April when the road will revert to two-way traffic, passing either side of the new roundabout island, until Friday 1 May.

Cumberland Way will then be closed for another weekend, from 7pm on Friday 1 May until 7am on Monday 4 May, to enable resurfacing work to be carried out.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “This new link road is nearing completion, and these closures will enable work to be undertaken on some important elements of the scheme. Unfortunately there may be some delays while the roundabout is constructed, but in the long term it will provide is with another vital connection to the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point.”

Councillor Emma Morse, Devon County Councillor for Pinhoe and Mincinglake, said: "I’ve been encouraged to see the progress being made on this scheme, and the development of this roundabout is the next major step. Every effort is being made to minimise disruption while this important link is established.”

Devon County Council has successfully secured funding from the Department for Transport's Local Pinch Point fund and the Regional Growth Fund towards the scheme.

The route forms part of the access strategy to the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point. The improvements will offer an alternative route for local traffic to help tackle congestion and improve the resilience of both the A30 and M5. It will also become an important bus route that will connect Cranbrook, Skypark, Science Park and Monkerton with the city centre.

Construction work, which is being carried out by contractor Fox (Owmby) Ltd on behalf of Devon County Council, started last August and the road is due to open later this Spring.