Plans for new £5.7m junction near Tiverton approved

Devon County Council’s Cabinet has agreed plans to build a new £5.7 million junction off the A361 near Tiverton.

Approval of the Tiverton Eastern Urban Extension access junction by councillors means that work is now expected to start on phase one of the scheme in September. However, concern was raised at the meeting that the Local Transport Board has so far only agreed to provide £250,000 of funding, rather than £1.5 million that was expected.

The funding currently available will enable the development of the access junction to the A361 to be started, along with landscaping, resurfacing of the A361 and work to minimise noise.

The scheme is planned to be built in phases, as the full junction will not be needed until 1,000 homes are occupied on the nearby development site. The land has been earmarked in Mid Devon’s Local Plan for 2,000 homes, a primary school and employment.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Development and Waste, said: “The scheme delivers development to the East of Tiverton, delivering thousands of homes and 600 jobs, while minimising the environmental impact to Blundell’s Road.”

Ahead of start of the scheme, traffic calming improvements were completed on Blundell’s Road last year and site clearance at the junction site was carried out ahead of nesting season.