School children and parents walking to school in Okehampton will have a safer walking route, thanks to the completion of a new footpath and zebra crossing.
Construction work is now complete on the new footpath on the northern edge of Crediton Road, between Fort Road and Nexus Way, along with a new zebra crossing on Crediton Road. Together, the improvements provide a safer pedestrian link to St James’ Church of England Primary School.
Before the footpath was completed, pedestrians walking to the school from the east had no direct footpath or pavement to follow and had been walking to the school along a busy stretch of Crediton Road.
West Devon Borough Council and Devon County Council have worked together to deliver the improvements. The borough council secured funding for the footpath through developer contributions, and UK Shared Prosperity and Rural England Funding, while Devon County Council provided funding for a new zebra crossing using further developer contributions and local transport grant funding.
The work was carried out by Devon County Council over the summer holidays to avoid impacting school traffic. The collaborative approach has enabled both councils to maximise the opportunity to deliver much needed infrastructure in a cost-effective manner.
Councillor Caroline Mott, West Devon’s Lead Member for Built Environment, said:
“The lack of a dedicated pedestrian route has been a long-standing issue raised by local parents, community groups and councillors, who have campaigned for improved safety measures for several years.
“I’m delighted that we now have a safe and easily accessible route for children, parents and residents, that completely removes the need for pedestrians to walk along a busy road.
“Okehampton has seen significant development in recent years. As it continues to grow, it is essential that we invest in the infrastructure needed to support our communities and encourage active travel. I am delighted that, by bringing together funding from several sources, we have been able to deliver both the footway and the new zebra crossing, creating a safer environment for everyone using this route.”
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Cabinet Member overseeing public transport for Devon County Council, said:
“It’s really important that children and families have a safe and convenient route when walking to school, and these improvements will make a real difference for people using this part of Okehampton.
“The new zebra crossing and footpath have been delivered together to provide a much better pedestrian route, and it’s a great example of what can be achieved by working with West Devon Borough Council and bringing different sources of funding together.”
The completion of the scheme supports wider efforts to improve sustainable travel options across Okehampton while enhancing road safety for residents, school children and visitors.