Work starts on Decoy Link Road
Galliford Try has been awarded the £2.6 million contract to build the scheme which will widen and realign the existing Kingskerswell Road, and create a signal controlled crossing over the rail bridge. It will also improve safety along the busy route for pedestrians and cyclists, with a new shared cycleway and footway.
The scheme, which was awarded £1.8 million of Department for Transport Local Pinch Point funding, will join the South Devon Link Road at the Aller interchange.
The upgrade of the road aims to accommodate the extra traffic around the Decoy Industrial Estate area. The industrial estate is currently home to 25 businesses, but is due to expand to create around 500 new jobs.
Although it will link directly onto the South Devon Link Road at Aller Cross this is a discrete project that is funded separately and has distinct aims and objectives. The project has its own distinct resources and will not impact on the completion date for the South Devon Link Road.
Before construction work commenced, extensive environmental surveys were undertaken and measures taken to safely remove protected species from the area. Landscaping of the area commenced ahead of the site clearance to mitigate the impact on wildlife and to establish growth as far in advance as possible.
Ecologists are monitoring the site clearance throughout the works, including the demolition of two small buildings.
During construction, there will be a requirement to temporarily close Kingskerswell Road and limit on street parking in residential areas, but motorists and residents will be informed well in advance.
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “This upgrade to the infrastructure is vital in order to accommodate the increase in traffic into the Decoy Road industrial estate. The Decoy Link Road is set for completion ahead of the South Devon Link Road. These two new routes will be a huge boost to the local economy and allow it to prosper: it will enable the area to grow and expand, bringing more jobs and unlocking economic growth.”
Cllr Jeremy Christophers, Leader of Teignbridge District Council, said: “Teignbridge District Council needs to target the limited amount of council tax payers money it spends carefully. Our investment of £500,000 is all about the jobs that it will create. The delivery of the long awaited South Devon Link Road opens up the Decoy employment estate to enable some of our highly valued local firms to expand and grow, we are delighted to be involved in this exciting opportunity to enable greater prosperity for our own local companies.”
Chris Hastings, Project Director at Galliford Try, said: “We are really pleased to have been awarded this scheme which is set to boost the impact of the South Devon Link Road even further. We will continue to keep people informed of developments and progress on the project, along with details of how the South Devon Link Road is taking shape.”
The works are joint funded by Devon County Council, Teignbridge District Council and the Department for Transport and are programmed to finish ahead of the South Devon Link Road (December 2015).
Updates and further details will be announced on the South Devon Link Road website.
