Planned improvements to a “gateway” junction into Barnstaple have been approved by councillors.
Devon County Council’s Cabinet has agreed the £862,900 scheme which will upgrade the A3125/Longbridge junction.
It aims to create a safer, more welcoming gateway to the town, providing a vital link to the bus and railway stations, Petroc College, schools, and key employment areas including industrial estates and the hospital.
The proposed enhancements will create more shared-use and segregated space for people walking and cycling, as well as simplifying crossing areas. It will also improve traffic flow by providing extra capacity on the road.
The current three-stage signalised crossing of the west end of the Longbridge will be replaced by a single stage toucan crossing, while the current two-stage signalised crossing of Seven Brethren Bank will become a parallel pedestrian and cycle crossing.
These changes will be made through a new, simpler road layout. The left turn into Seven Brethren Road from the Longbridge will be retained in this scheme for vehicles under seven metres in length, making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The original scheme removed this left turn, and the council has listened to concerns raised by businesses and residents about this. The scheme also removes the right turn into Seven Brethren Road for vehicles travelling towards the Longbridge from the west.
It’s proposed that Station Road will be widened to accommodate a new staggered two-stage toucan crossing improving pedestrian safety. This will also enable the two-lane approach to the roundabout to be extended to increase capacity and reduce queuing.
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said:
“This scheme will provide a huge upgrade at this junction for all road users, not only increasing capacity but also making it safer and more user friendly for cyclists and pedestrians. There is huge potential for short distance journeys to be made on foot or by bike on this route, especially with new developments planned in this area. These enhancements will support vital active travel links to the town centre and other key locations which will help with our carbon reduction targets.”
Councillor Caroline Leaver, County Councillor for Barnstaple South and Chair of the Council, said:
“There has been a lot of work and public consultation on this project, particularly with businesses, to make sure they’re happy with the proposals. It’s a really important interchange between a whole variety of roads, cycle network and footpaths. The scheme is much improved from the original as a result of our having listened to local people and businesses. It’s a great opportunity to simplify the current complicated road arrangement and to make it a better environment for people who choose not to use their cars. It links directly to the Tarka Trail which is one of the main reasons people from outside the area come to North Devon.”
Barnstaple’s Longbridge is used by around 18,700 vehicles per day. It is also one of North Devon’s busiest routes for active travel, used by 5,000 pedestrians and 600 cyclists every day.
The junction enhancements are a priority in the Barnstaple with Bideford and Northam Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). During public consultation of this LCWIP, improvements for the Roundswell to Pilton route, which includes the proposed scheme, received 84% support.
There has been significant consultation throughout various stages of development of the project. Further consultation will be carried out when the Traffic Regulation Orders for the scheme are advertised, with the aim of construction being carried out next year.