Improvements to Westleigh Junction have been completed and the upgraded layout is now open to traffic.
The upgrade scheme has created an additional ahead lane in the westbound direction to increase capacity at the signalised junction during peak hours. This is the first element of the £60 million North Devon Link Road improvement scheme that has been successfully delivered, and it has been built on time and within budget by contractor Alun Griffiths.
Elsewhere on the project, work is continuing to progress at pace. Clearance is ongoing on areas to the east of Barnstaple to prepare the route for upgrade. This will see sections of the route modified to one lane in each direction with a dedicated alternating lane for overtaking, as well as several other junction upgrades.
Work is also expected to begin shortly at Buckleigh Road Junction, which is being upgraded to a 3-arm signalised junction.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “It’s encouraging to see such excellent progress being made on this important scheme and I’m sure people will welcome this news. Improvements to the link road can play a vital role in supporting the recovery and growth of our economy in northern Devon. The completion of Westleigh Junction is the first of eight junctions being upgraded as part of this project, all of which will contribute to improving safety, easing congestion and improving journey times.”
Councillor Dermot McGeough, County Councillor for Northam, said: “I fully support the planned improvements to create a three lane signalised junction at Buckleigh Junction. There will unfortunately be some disruption while work is carried out and it will temporarily cause longer journey times, but it will be worth it in the long run. This is the kind of infrastructure our area needs to improve safety and reduce congestion, given it is the main artery to and from Cornwall. The £60 million investment into the North Devon Link road is paramount for economic growth and I would like to add my personal thanks to Devon County Council for this opportunity to improve our area.”
To stay up to date on progress of the main elements of the scheme (east of Barnstaple), including information about roadworks please subscribe to contractor Alun Griffiths mailing list here. All other updates will be provided through the dedicated North Devon Link Road webpages.