The Government’s 2014 Road Investment Strategy (RIS), which includes the period up to 2020, identifies a commitment to turn the A30/A303 into a strategic corridor for the South West. It includes 3 major schemes and the inclusion of smaller scale improvements between Honiton and Southfields.
Following this there will be a further programme of improvements and a potential RIS2 for the next 5 year period up to 2025. The minister is keen that Highways England works with the LEP, Local Councils and MPs to shape the programme for the next tranche of RIS, which is the aim of our study.
Devon County Council is promoting and developing the A30 Honiton to Devonshire Inn section to a preferred route stage with the aim that funding would be secured through RIS2.
The objectives of this project are as follows:
- Encourage economic growth in the South West peninsula and particularly the large scale planned development of Exeter
- Improve journey speed and reliability
- Increase the resilience of the strategic road network
- Improve safety for road users and road operators
- Minimise adverse environmental impacts through exemplary approaches to design and mitigation and adoption of sustainable and innovative solutions
- Ensure that unavoidable impacts on the character and special qualities of the Blackdown Hills AONB are offset through a significant programme of compensatory measures and the inclusion of opportunities for environmental enhancement in line with AONB Management Plan objectives.