Work begins on new Alphington Road crossing

Work on a new staggered signal-controlled crossing across Alphington Road, which will help vulnerable pedestrians access the retail park, started on Monday (14 August).

The Devon County Council (DCC) scheme, on the north side of the Sydney Road/Alphington Road Retail Park junction, will cost £110,000 and take approximately six weeks to complete.

Alphington Road is one of the busiest routes by traffic volume in Exeter,  and typically there are 1,000 vehicles an hour in each direction.

The recent increase in the number of stores at the retail park has resulted in the need for improved walking links between local communities and the retail park.

Currently there is no signal-controlled crossing for pedestrians who wish to access the retail park from the Sydney Road/Exe Bridges direction.

Travelling from the City,  the main pedestrian route is via the railway arch on the western side of Alphington Road,  and pedestrians often have to cross the road when there is a gap in the traffic.

This can be difficult for vulnerable pedestrians  including the visually and mobility impaired and parents with young children and prams.

Initially the work will require one of the two lanes to be either reduced in width or closed for periods, and a traffic management system will be in place.

The scheme will be paid for through DCC's Local Transport Plan Programme (£49,000) and developer contributions (£61,000).

Once the new school term starts in September any work will be carried out in the evening to minimise the impact of the work on traffic flows.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management said: n“It is clear there is a need for a controlled crossing at the Sydney Road junction. We have carefully considered all the options and concluded that this scheme achieves the right balance of ensuring that all pedestrians are able to access the retail park while minimising the impacts on traffic flow as much as possible.

“We have scheduled most of the work during the summer holidays in an effort to keep disruption to a minimum. Once the autumn term starts work will be confined to evenings only.”

Councillor Yvonne Atkinson, Devon County Council’s Local Member for Alphington and Cowick, said: "I’m delighted that this scheme is going ahead, a crossing point at this location is badly needed. As the retail park has expanded so has demand and a controlled crossing will help shoppers in wheelchairs, mobility scooters, parents with buggies and people with laden with shopping bags cross the road.”

Councillor Rob Hannaford, the chairman of the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee  and the local county councillor for Exwick and St Thomas, said: “Alphington Road is  one of Exeter's main arterial routes and the retail park is served by a busy four way junction. As new stores continue to open it’s inevitable that more people are going to want to walk and drive to the retail park. This  has been a major concern for local residents.

“I said in April I hoped that the scheme could be delivered in the autumn, so I am delighted that this crossing will now be built.”