{"id":69355,"date":"2026-04-02T13:26:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T12:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=69355"},"modified":"2026-04-02T13:26:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T12:26:31","slug":"m5-sliproad-bridge-road-projects-shortlisted-government","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/m5-sliproad-bridge-road-projects-shortlisted-government\/","title":{"rendered":"M5 sliproad and Bridge Road projects shortlisted by Government"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Leaders from across the political spectrum have welcomed the Government\u2019s decision to back two key transport schemes at the M5 in Cullompton and Bridge Road in Exeter.&nbsp;which are vital for the county\u2019s economy and future.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Devon County Council says it&nbsp;remains&nbsp;committed to delivering&nbsp;new southbound slip roads&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;bridge&nbsp;south of&nbsp;M5 Junction 28 in Cullompton and to improving Bridge Road in Exeter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two Devon schemes are among&nbsp;16&nbsp;projects&nbsp;out of 42 nationally that have been approved to remain in&nbsp;the Major Road Network and Large Local Majors programmes,&nbsp;representing&nbsp;potential investment in Devon of over \u00a3200m.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Cullompton, plans for a new junction and supporting infrastructure at M5 Junction 28 are intended to cut congestion, improve&nbsp;safety&nbsp;and help unlock planned housing growth in the town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Exeter, the Bridge Road project would replace ageing \u2018bascule\u2019 and swing bridges on one of Devon\u2019s busiest routes, improving reliability and reducing the risk of major disruption.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both schemes also include improvements to walking, cycling and public transport in the immediate area to&nbsp;provide benefits to all modes of travel.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both schemes have attracted strong&nbsp;cross-party&nbsp;support.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A joint letter backing the projects&nbsp;was&nbsp;submitted&nbsp;by&nbsp;the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority, Peninsula Transport and National Highways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The M5 Junction 28 scheme is also supported by Richard Foord MP and a consortium of developers, while Steve Race MP and David Reed MP have given their backing to the Bridge Road proposals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"block_acf-block-69ce5f3b9e33e\" class=\"councillor-quote align-right dcc grid-x\">\r\n\t<blockquote class=\"councillor-quote-blockquote medium-auto small-12 cell\">\r\n                    <div class=\"councillor-quote-title\"><p>Councillor Dan Thomas, Devon County Council\u2019s cabinet member for Highways said:\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\r\n        \t\t<div class=\"councillor-quote-text\"><p>\u201cWithout improvements at Bridge Road, the resilience and capacity of one of Devon\u2019s busiest transport corridors would remain under strain, with the risk of lane restrictions as the bridges continue to deteriorate. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd without a new junction at Cullompton, congestion is expected to worsen and the town\u2019s ability to deliver planned growth would be significantly limited, with up to 4,500 homes dependent on the scheme.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBoth of these schemes are fundamental to keeping Devon moving and supporting future growth. They are\u00a0well developed, deliverable\u00a0and strongly supported by local authorities, national\u00a0bodies\u00a0and MPs.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n        <div class=\"councillor-quote-aside medium-auto small-12 cell\">\r\n\t<figure class=\"councillor-quote-image grid-x\">\r\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"small-6 cell medium-12\" src=\"https:\/\/democracy.devon.gov.uk\/UserData\/8\/3\/7\/Info00005738\/bigpic.jpg\" alt=\"Councillor Dan Thomas\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\r\n        <figcaption class=\"councillor-quote-description small-6 cell medium-12\" >\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/democracy.devon.gov.uk\/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5738\" rel=\"noopener\">Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n            <\/figure>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    \r\n    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