Delivering the Safer Roads programme in Devon.
The Department for Transport introduced the Safer Roads Fund to support road safety in England, and it is part of a wider package of investment into Britain’s road network. It targets the 50 most dangerous stretches of road in England, as identified through the Road Safety Foundation.
The report identified one road in North Devon in the national list of 50 – this being the A3123. The A3123 connects the A361 at Mullacott Cross Roundabout (located south of Ilfracombe) to the junction with the A399 at Easter Close Cross (located south of Combe Martin) and is approximately 11 km in length. Proposed works have included junction improvement schemes at Hore Down Gate, Berry Down Cross and Berrydown Cross, which were all completed in 2020. A 2 km section of the road was also resurfaced in 2020 and white lining improvement work has been carried out in 2021. The final round of works include a junction improvement scheme at Lynton Cross, near Ilfracombe.
The scheme is due to start on the 6 September for a duration of 16 weeks. Works entail the construction of a new 4-arm roundabout. There will be a road closure on the A3123 between Lynton Cross and Hore Down Gate between the 20 September and the 21 November. The B3230 between Lynton Cross and Iron Letters Cross will also be closed between the 22 November and 10 December.
Devon County Council’s applications:
A3123
- A3123 (North Devon) Bid Application
- A3123 Appendix Supporting Information
- A3123 Consultation Plans
- A3123 Hore Down Gate to Lynton Cross Temporary Closure and Diversion Route
B3230
A3121
Devon County Council Newscentre articles
- £2.2 million A3123 road safety scheme backed by councillors
- Green light for A3121 safety improvements
- Road safety scheme designed for A3123
- Improvements on A3123 Berry Down Cross
See also the first phase report evaluating the Safer Roads Fund (2018)