Highway works

Eastern Junction

The Eastern Junction is a new access junction to a development parcel between the Devon Hotel and Matford roundabouts which unlocks two land ownerships.

Previously, this section of the A379 was a four-lane road with limited facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. There were no crossing facilities near the Matford roundabout and the shared use path on the south side of the road was narrow. As part of the scheme a new toucan crossing has been delivered on the approach to the Matford roundabout to connect the south side of the A379 and the new development with the existing shared use path on Bridge Road and Matford Marsh. The shared use path on the A379 has also been widened where possible and the existing layby removed. Furthermore, a new signalised junction was created with a new side road to the south of the A379 which will provide access to the proposed development area.

The works started on site in August 2020 and were completed December 2021.

School Access Junction

The School Access Junction is a new signalised junction on the A379 between the Devon Hotel Roundabout and the existing junction with Chudleigh Road which enables the construction of a new school as well as residential development.

Works started on site in January 2021 and were completed December 2021.

Remaining works

Devon County Council is also progressing the remaining signalised junctions on the A379. Each new junction will provide access into the development site, with one of the junctions connecting to the realigned Chudleigh Road. The delivery of these junctions includes widening of the A379 to enable additional lanes to be included at the junctions. Detailed design is currently underway for these remaining items with tendering for a contractor to deliver the works expected to follow. Full details of traffic management arrangements will be provided once a contractor is appointed.

The existing Chudleigh Road has a junction with the A379. Vehicles using this junction have to cross a busy road and with the development planned, using this junction would become more difficult in the future. The existing junction is located close to the bridge which goes across the A30, meaning it is not possible to improve the junction without relocating it. The road is therefore planned to be realigned and will have a new, signalised junction with the A379 further to the east.

The county council has undertaken work to inform the design of the realignment. A detailed planning application for the realignment of the road, to seek approval for the detail of the proposals, has been approved. Details of the application can be found on the Devon County Council planning website. To view the design of the realignment, please see the plan of the works.

Following the granting of planning permission and progression of detailed design, tender has commenced for a contractor to deliver the works. A contractor will be appointed in due course with full details of traffic management arrangements to follow.

The southern spine road will link the different development sites to the south of the A379. There are three different developers in this area and the delivery of the road would help to unlock new homes in each of these sites.

A new roundabout is planned to provide access to the employment site close to the existing at Peamore. The roundabout is proposed to be delivered by the developer rather than through the Housing Infrastructure Fund.

Improvements are proposed to the existing ‘Devon Hotel’ roundabout. This will include the creation of additional capacity on the western arm of the roundabout, with an additional lane on the entry to the roundabout, realignment of the central island as well as a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing.

The scheme is being combined with the delivery of a new signal junction at Trood Lane (to the west of the Devon Hotel roundabout) with the aim of minimising the impact of the works.

To view the design of the roundabout upgrade, please see the plan of the work.

To view the design of Trood Lane Junction, please see the plan of the works.

Vegetation clearance works have been undertaken in preparation for the delivery of the scheme. Following a tender process, Taylor Woodrow have been appointed as the contractor and works started on site in September 2023. Works are due to be completed by Summer 2024 and will be carried out under lane closures and contraflow systems, alongside a temporary 30mph speed limit.

Public realm enhancements are proposed in Alphington (along Church Road and Chudleigh Road) to include widening of footways, speed reducing measures and improvements to crossing facilities. Initial work, including a consultation, was undertaken to inform the design of the enhancements. Following a review of the feedback, as set out within the consultation report, a new zebra crossing has been delivered at Alphin Brook roundabout, as well as widening of the footway.

Additional design work continued alongside this which raised further opportunities. DCC sought additional feedback on these further opportunities through a second consultation held in July 2023. The results of this consultation can be viewed within the consultation report.

In January 2024, the recommendations within this consultation report were approved by DCC’s Cabinet. Detailed design has now been completed. To view the design of the enhancements, please see the plan of the works.

A contractor has been appointed with works due to start on site in June 2024. Full details of traffic management arrangements will be provided in due course.