Welcome for £4.1million A38 Drumbridges revamp

NEWS that the busy Drumbridges roundabout on the A38 near Newton Abbot is to undergo a £4.1million improvement programme have been welcomed by the local authority.

It was announced on Monday that the major roadworks will get under way in 2014.

Teignbridge District Council believe the scheme will boost the local economy by bringing new jobs and homes while reducing congestion and improving road safety.

The plans were announced by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

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Drumbridges is one of seven vital road improvement schemes being delivered in the South West by the Highways Agency.

The regional schemes, costing £15 million, are part of a £217million national programme to remove bottlenecks and keep traffic moving on England’s motorways and major A roads.

The plan for Drumbridges is to reduce congestion by increasing capacity, installing traffic signals and constructing a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the A38.

The A38/A380 Splatford Split at the bottom of Telegraph Hill will undergo a £5.5million improvement scheme with an additional lane for traffic merging with the Plymouth-bound A38 from the Newton Abbot-bound A380.

Both schemes have been warmly welcomed by Teignbridge District Council’s leader Cllr Jeremy Christophers.

He said: “This is fantastic news for Teignbridge.

"We are delighted that the Highways Agency has been given the go-ahead to improve Drumbridges and Splatford Split.

“Both are key gateways to our district and this will unlock potential for hundreds of new jobs, much-needed housing and future investment.

“Drumbridges has long been an area that has needed vital improvements in order to keep traffic moving quickly and safely. This will benefit all our residents and commuters who sometimes have to queue to get on and off the A38 and into Heathfield and Newton Abbot.

“Not only will this help motorists get around more easily but it will provide cyclists with a much safer way of crossing the A38. Currently, they have to use a crossing place on the main road which is far from ideal.

“The scheme at Splatford Split will also lead to a better-connected road system which will help attract new business to the area.”

He paid tribute to the council’s officers who had worked behind the scenes with the Highways Agency and Devon County Council to help make sure the funding was secured.

Cllr Christophers added: "Everyone has worked very hard to make this happen. The announcement shows major confidence in Teignbridge and that it is the place to be for jobs, investment and connectivity.

“When we consulted on our Local Plan, people told us that they wanted the infrastructure first and housing second. This demonstrates that it is happening.”

With the Government funding commitment to the South Devon Link Road, the total infrastructure funding for Teignbridge stands at about £110 million over the next five years.

Drumbridges has been identified as a major, high priority improvement in the Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan with the potential to support 1,760 new jobs and 1,200 new homes by 2020.

The improvements at Splatford Split supports growth in the region by unlocking significant pieces of land and attracting new businesses to the area and has the potential to support 10,000 new jobs and 1,900 new homes by 2020.

Cllr Christophers added: “The national outlook may still seem gloomy but the future is bright here in Teignbridge. We have always said Teignbridge is open for business and these improvements confirm our still-rising profile as a modern, welcoming district.”

Work on Drumbridges and Splatford Split is due to start in 2014 and will end in 2015.