Work starts on new Exeter road

It's for a school that doesn't yet exist

Work has started on the a road junction that will lead to an Exeter school that's yet to be built.

The school access junction is a new signalised road off the A379, between the Devon Hotel Roundabout and the existing junction with Chudleigh Road. It is part of the £55 million infrastructure project to the south west of Exeter which will enable the development of 2,500 homes and employment. The school will cater for 650 primary pupils and 750 secondary schoolchildren, with 59 nursery places.

Workers moved onto an adjacent site in August last year, on a job that's planned to take nine months. Whilst serious disruption had been expected, coronavirus restrictions have cut traffic around Exeter. Everything seems to be running smoothly.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council cabinet member for infrastructure, development and waste, said: “It’s vital this infrastructure is in place in order to deliver new homes, the new all-through school and jobs, as we try and ensure our economy makes a strong recovery from the current pandemic. Good progress is being made on site and it’s excellent to see work starting on this latest junction.”

Most of the work will be carried out using lane closures and a contraflow system in place on the A379 to the west of the Devon Hotel roundabout, similar to the arrangements being used for the development of the eastern junction which is currently ongoing. Some overnight closures may also be needed.

Contractor South West Highways is constructing the school access junction, and work is expected to be completed by the summer. As further phases of the wider scheme progress, new roads and additional junctions will be developed, existing routes will be upgraded, a new pedestrian and cycle bridge will be installed and a new public park will also be established.

The scheme is being funded from the Housing Infrastructure Fund, administered by Homes England, following a successful bid by Devon County Council.

A planning application for the school has been submitted by the Department for Education:  https://bit.ly/3nCi3eu