Work starts on North Devon Link Road

Biggest transport investment in area for a generation

Work has started for the major upgrade on the North Devon Link Road, which is claimed to be the "biggest transport investment in North Devon for a generation".

Preparation work was carried out on Monday, with turf cutting taking place, marking the start of improvements on the A361 between South Molton and the Portmore roundabout in Barnstaple. The upgrades, which are due to be completed by the end of 2023, will help unlock the "true potential of the local economy in North Devon" by cutting journey times, boosting connectivity and increasing access to housing across the region.

The project, being led by Devon County Council, will boost the local economy by supporting plans for 6,700 new homes in the region, making it easier for people to access job opportunities.

The works will focus on a 7.5 kilometre stretch between South Molton and Barnstaple and the route will be modernised with a wider carriageway, which will greatly improve opportunities for overtaking, safety and resilience.

As a result of the works, the road's capacity will be increased, along with eight key junctions getting an upgrade. Alongside these upgrades, plans to boost active travel will see facilities for pedestrians and cyclists along the route.

Cllr Andrea Davis, Devon County Council cabinet member for infrastructure, development and waste, said: “I’m extremely pleased to see the start of work on this vital project and no doubt these improvements can’t come soon enough for many people.

“Those who regularly use the link road need to be aware that every effort will be made to minimise traffic delays but unfortunately it will be unavoidable while this work is carried out.

“However, the long-term benefits will outweigh the short-term disruption. I’ve stated that this is the biggest transport investment in North Devon for a generation and I’m certain it will have an incredibly positive impact in helping to support the recovery of our local economy.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed £60 million of Department for Transport (DfT) funding for the project in November.

Approximately 7 kilometres of "alternating overtaking" lanes are to be added to the road, creating better access to places such as Portmore, with each road being monitored by average speed cameras, something which Devon County Council says will provide "more reliable journey times, fewer accidents and greater resilience."