Devon County Council

devon.gov.uk

From Pam Newby, Exeter 383290, December 18,2006

Exeter gets an early Christmas present from Devon County Council this week with the opening of the new £4 million Monkerton Link Road.

This relief road has been designed to ease congestion by providing a link between junction 29 of the M5/Sowton Industrial Estate and Pinhoe Road. The County Council decided to build the road to the east of the city after extensive local consultation into the proposals.

There was extensive support for the road which runs from Ambassador Drive on the Exeter Business Park to Pinhoe Road. It is one kilometre long and includes cycle lanes and toucan crossings for the safety of all road users.

The Monkerton Link Road will be opened next Thursday, December 21 by Devon County Council Chairman Cllr Des Shadrick. It will open to traffic immediately after the official opening ceremony which begins at 10am.

Devon County Council's Executive Member for Environment Cllr Margaret Rogers said: "This new link road provides much needed relief for an area which is feeling the pressure of extra traffic, particularly with the rapid economic growth we have seen to the east of Exeter. It is particularly pleasing that the road has been completed early thus benefiting users sooner than expected."

"We encourage the use of alternatives to the car whenever possible such as public transport, cycling and walking, for which this road makes provision, but we do recognise that many people need to use their cars throughout the day. The construction of this road will ease congestion which will benefit not only the business community but those who live in and around Pinhoe."

County Councillors Saxon Spence and Olwen Foggin highlighted the benefits for local residents.

"As the county councillor for Pinhoe I have been campaigning for this link road since the early '90s," said Cllr Spence. "For the beleaguered residents of Pinn Lane and Station Road it promises an end to the through traffic that has plagued their lives, and for commuters it offers a modern and straightforward route to the Exeter Business Park and Junction 29, so it has double benefit."

"I am delighted that the new road will take traffic away from a very congested part of the ward I represent and provide a useful link to the business park," said Cllr Foggin. "I am also pleased that a cycle lane and provision for pedestrians is included as this is in line with the Council's Green Travel Plan."

The new road has received an enthusiastic welcome from Exeter's business community.

The honorary chairman of the Exeter Business Forum, Ian McGregor, said: "We are delighted at the provision of the Monkerton Link Road. This is another enabling facility to assist with traffic movement through a key part of the city. It will be significant by providing a major additional access route, especially to the businesses on Sowton which have been successfully addressing traffic issues over the last couple of years. This is essential and timely in view of the exciting developments which are about to start to the east of the city. We congratulate all those involved."

The Chairman of Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Derek Phillips, said: "The Chamber is very pleased that this long-awaited conduit is opening.  The new road will undoubtedly prove a vital link to the highly-successful Exeter Business Park."

Steve Hayfield, EDF Energy Director of Account and Revenue Management, based at Exeter, said: "We already try and reduce congestion through our Green Travel Plan and many of our staff walk, cycle and get the bus to and from work. Our Exeter site is a key location for EDF Energy and the new link road will help ease congestion."

Senior Executive at the Met Office Alan Douglas said: ""We welcome the opening, since the road brings benefits to those working at the Met Office and it complements our overall travel plan to help to ease traffic congestion in the area."

Note to Editors:

Media representatives are invited to attend the opening ceremony on Thursday, December 21 at 10am which will take place off Pinhoe Road opposite the western end of Venny Bridge.

Cllr Rogers can be contacted on 01297 680384

Cllr Spence can be contacted on 01392 271785

Cllr Foggin can be contacted on 01392 660430

• Leader of the Council - Cllr Brian Greenslade
• Chief Executive -- Phil Norrey

• Budget £800 million
• Key investments include:
• Schools £349 million
• Adult and Community Services £164 million
• Environment, Economy and Culture £106 million
• Children and Young People £101 million

• Other important County Council support includes:
• Building programme: £185 million for new schools, roads, care services, libraries and recycling centres

• Political make-up:
• County Council seats: 62
• 33 Liberal Democrat
• 23 Conservative
• 4 Labour
• 2 Independent
• Next County Council elections: May 7, 2009

• Key stats:
• Population: 741,000
• Schools: 365
• Pupils: 96,200
• Children looked after: 584
• Adults helped to live at home: 17,622
• Residential and nursing care: 4,212 adults
• Libraries and Mobile Libraries: 61
• Roads: 12,820 kms (7,966 miles)
• Bridges: 3,500
• Public Rights of Way: 4,960 kms (3,200 miles)
• Streetlights: 71,000
• Illuminated road signs: 10,917
• Recycling Centres: 20
• Recycling rate: 49.21%

Figures may be subject to change

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