Kingskerswell bypass gets full Government approval

FULL approval for the long-awaited South Devon Link Road was finally granted by the Government this afternoon.

The Department for Transport gave the go-ahead for the road which will act as a bypass for traffic-clogged Kingskerswell.

Devon County Council and Torbay Council have welcomed the news that an end is in sight to the congestion that has clogged the A380 for decades.

Full Funding Approval has been given to the major new road, which will bypass the A380 between Newton Abbot and Torbay.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

The aim is to award the design and build construction contract in the next few weeks, for the enabling works to start on site in autumn 2012 and the main works to be completed by December 2015.

The 5.5km dual carriageway, which will bypass Kingskerswell, has been awarded £76.4 million toward the £110 million cost by the Government. Devon County Council and Torbay Council have committed £33 million from their budgets towards the scheme costs and Teignbridge District Council will contribute a further £500,000.

It is predicted that the new road will remove 95 per cent of traffic away from Kingskerswell, restoring and revitalising the village.

It is also estimated that almost 8,000 jobs will be created across the area, with 3,600 of those in Torbay. Research indicates that every £1 invested into the construction of the bypass will produce a £9 stimulus to the South Devon economy, providing a vital economic boost to the area.

Devon County Council Leader John Hart said: “To get the final stamp of approval for the new road is fantastic news and will have huge benefits – the link road is absolutely crucial to building a stronger economy for the benefit of the whole of South Devon.

“This project is an excellent example of businesses, councils, MPs and the wider community working in partnership.”

Mayor of Torbay Gordon Oliver said: “This announcement by the Department for Transport is the news we have been waiting for. It is excellent news for Torbay and for South Devon. Everything is now in place to enable work to start on site before the end of the year, and we can look forward to its completion before the end of 2015.

“We have lobbied for more years than I care to remember for this new road, which is vital to the local economy. The lack of a decent road into Torbay has severely hampered the Bay’s economic prospects.

“We know that inadequate road access into the Bay has made potential investors think very carefully in recent years about whether to come to the area so they, like us, will no doubt welcome this news.

“The building of the South Devon Link Road will enable us to attract new investments and jobs to the area.

“My congratulations go to all those many political colleagues, officers in Torbay Council and friends in partner organisations who have spent so much time and effort pulling together to see this scheme at last come to fruition."

Secretary of State for Transport Justine Greening said: “The Department for Transport has invested over £76m in this scheme, which will cut congestion on Devon’s roads, as well as benefiting the environment and the local economy.

“This bypass will provide an alternative to driving through the middle of the village which currently sees very heavy traffic, particularly over busy holiday periods.

“The people of Kingskerswell will no longer have to put up with endless traffic jams, exhaust fumes and trucks thundering through the village and the road will really open up Torbay for tourism, creating jobs while providing a more pleasant drive for locals and visitors alike.”