皇冠体育app

Drivers, businesses and residents in North Devon will soon benefit from a multi-million-pound road upgrade set to get underway this month 鈥� thanks to 拢60 million of investment announced today (10 November 2020) by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

皇冠体育app funding will kick-start major works on the A361, also known as the North Devon Link Road:

• slashing journey times
• boosting connectivity
• unlocking housing across the region

皇冠体育app major project, being led by Devon County Council, will boost the local economy by supporting plans for 6,700 new homes in the region, making it easier for people to access job opportunities, and for businesses to get around.

Upgrades will not only benefit regional travel, they鈥檙e also expected to increase cross-country connectivity by improving people鈥檚 ability to travel into and out of the Southwest.

Works will focus on a 4.8 mile stretch between South Molton and Barnstaple. 皇冠体育app route will be modernised with a wider carriageway, which will greatly improve overtaking opportunities, safety and resilience. 皇冠体育app road鈥檚 capacity and 8 key junctions will be upgraded 鈥� and, to boost active travel, facilities for pedestrians and cyclists will be introduced along the route.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

I鈥檓 delighted to announce this funding to upgrade a vital gateway between Devon and the rest of the country. 皇冠体育appse works will boost connections, cut congestion for drivers and improve people鈥檚 quality of life.

It鈥檚 a clear indication of our commitment to levelling up and investing in transport infrastructure. Through these works, we鈥檒l improve people鈥檚 ability to travel across the Southwest while providing 1000s with greater access to new homes and new jobs.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Development and Waste, said:

This announcement is fantastic news for local residents and for Devon鈥檚 economy. 皇冠体育app upgrade of this road is the biggest transport investment in north Devon for a generation. It will help unlock the true potential of the local economy in northern Devon, and with the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic, that鈥檚 vital at this time.

We鈥檝e been working tirelessly on this project for a number of years so it鈥檚 great to see that effort rewarded with this government funding. We鈥檒l now be looking to get work started as soon as we can.

皇冠体育app route provides the most direct link between North and South Devon and is a key route linking the Southwest to the rest of the UK. It also acts as a crucial link between the key economic centres of Bideford and Barnstaple. DfT鈥檚 investment of 拢60 million makes up the majority of the total costs of the scheme which is 拢67.6 million.

Improvements to the A361 are the latest boost to transport in Devon, following the opening of the first phase of a new 拢80 million sea wall at Dawlish by Rail Minister Chris Heaton Harris in September. This investment will provide a resilient railway for generations to come, and forms part of the government鈥檚 commitment to deliver reliable, punctual journeys across Devon and Cornwall, helping the Southwest build back better and supporting the local economy and tourism.