The upgrade of Bishops Tawton roundabout in Barnstaple has been completed.
The scheme has added extra lanes to the roundabout to increase its capacity, and pedestrian and cycle links have been improved with the installation of a signal-controlled crossing.
Work has also included drainage improvements, installation of new street lighting, surfacing of the footpaths, and the road from Bishops Tawton roundabout to Portmore Roundabout has been resurfaced as part of the project.
The upgrade of the roundabout is part of the wider North Devon Link Road improvements which were supported with £60 million of Department for Transport (DfT) funding.
Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, said:
“I’m pleased to see that this scheme has been completed and hopefully it’s helping traffic to flow that bit more easily for anyone that travels regularly on this route. The scheme hasn’t only increased capacity of the roundabout, it’s also provided improved active travel links and a number of other important improvements such as extensive resurfacing.”
The scheme at Bishops Tawton roundabout follows Devon County Council’s improvements to the A39 Westleigh Junction in July 2021 and A39 Buckleigh Road Junction in July 2022, as well as the “main scheme” on the A361 between South Molton and Portmore roundabout carried out by contractor Griffiths.
A number of unforeseen issues came up during the Bishops Tawton roundabout scheme which delayed work. This included relocation of an existing gas main, a collapsed drain within the site area, and an unmapped telecommunications cable which had to be diverted.
Work has been carried out by Cormac Ltd on behalf of Devon County Council.