Transport Minister visits infrastructure projects in Devon

Transport Minister Andrew Jones officially opened the first section of the Tithebarn Link Road in Exeter on Tuesday 4 August  as part of a two-day tour of major infrastructure projects in Devon.

The Minister was in Exeter to see the progress being made on developing transport links to support the delivery of housing and jobs in the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point.

The first section of the Tithebarn Link Road, which connects Cumberland Way to Pinn Lane, opened to traffic at the end of June. Since then, work on the remainder of the road, from Pinn Lane to the Science Park, has continued.

Devon County Council successfully secured funding for the £4.2 million scheme from the Department for Transport's Local Pinch Point fund and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Regional Growth Fund. This was combined with local developer contributions and funding from the County Council.

The section of the road from Pinn Lane to the Science Park will remain closed to traffic until the end of August while enabling works for the new development by Linden Homes are carried out. This will avoid disruption to traffic at a later date.

The new road, which will eventually provide an alternative route avoiding Junction 29 between the city and developments east of the motorway, is expected to be fully open later this month.

While in Devon the Minister also visited the A30/A303, to discuss the plans to improve the section of the route from Honiton to Ilminster, and he is also visiting the South Devon Link Road development today (Wednesday 5 August).

Transport Minister Andrew Jones MP said: “Improved transport links are vital for Devon’s economic growth. To achieve that, we are making the biggest roads investment for a generation in the South West, including the Kingskerswell Bypass and the Tithebarn Link Road. These new schemes will significantly improve journeys and support jobs for hardworking people across the county. The investment in infrastructure is opening opportunities for employment growth, such as the Science Park and other developments around Exeter, as part of the council's ambitious plan for the area.”

Devon County Council Chairman Councillor Christine Channon said: “Devon County Council has a proud reputation of getting schemes shovel-ready, securing funding and, importantly, delivering on our promises. This is an excellent example of public-private sector partnership between Devon County Council, the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point and Eagle One. The new road will directly serve approximately 2,000 new homes in the area, while enabling continued growth at Cranbrook and supporting up to 3,000 jobs at Science Park and 6,000 jobs at SkyPark.”

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “We have delivered over £40 million of transportation infrastructure in the Growth Point area since 2011, and we'd like to thank the Government for their funding support for the project. We’re delighted to be able to welcome the Minister to see the work that is already underway across Devon to provide vital transport links. It’s also a good opportunity to discuss the further improvement needed to support the ongoing growth of Devon’s economy. We’re making good progress on links to Exeter and East Devon Growth Point and the opening of the next phase of the Tithebarn Link Road later this month is another milestone.”

Councillor Paul Diviani, Leader of East Devon District Council and Chairman of the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point said: “The new link road will be critical for the continued growth and success of Cranbrook. As part of the East of Exeter road improvement scheme, it will help ease congestion by adding much needed extra capacity to support the developments at Cranbrook and will enable the town’s new community to access Exeter city centre. Highway infrastructure improvements are crucial for accommodating East Devon’s future developments and it is important that Cranbrook is seen as a well connected town with all-vehicle links to the highway network.”

Pinn Lane is now closed to motor vehicles immediately south of the new road to remove through-traffic from the southern section of Pinn Lane, creating a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists.

Once the latest section of the road is complete, the existing Tithebarn Lane bridge and the northern end of Science Park will be connected to the new roundabout on Cumberland Way.

The improvements will help tackle congestion and improve the resilience of both the A30 and M5. It will also become an important bus route between Cranbrook, Skypark, Science Park, Monkerton and the city centre.

Preparation is also underway for the remaining phases of the scheme, which will connect Tithebarn Lane with Honiton Road.  The County Council has submitted a planning application to East Devon District Council (EDDC).

This section of the Link Road will follow the existing route of Tithebarn Lane across Langaton Lane, before passing south to the edge of the Science Park. The link road will cross Blackhorse Lane to re-join the old A30 near the Science Park Drive junction. It is intended that the Blackhorse Lane crossing of the link road will form part of the high quality cycle route, linking Cranbrook in the east to the city centre, via Redhayes Bridge.