Devon Labour Devon County Labour
We made sure that after a biodiversity study on the trees and hedges which were removed, as much was replaced as possible with wildflowers and trees which are designed to encourage a wider range of insects & local wildlife Councillor Marina Asvachin, County Councillor for Wonford and St Loyes
A £2.2 million scheme to ease congestion at Moor Lane roundabout in Exeter has received the backing of Devon County Council’s Cabinet.
Cabinet members have approved construction of the improvements on one of the main accesses into the city.
The roundabout provides connections to the M5, A30 and new developments to the east of Exeter, and traffic is regularly queued on the approach roads to the roundabout during peak times of the day.
Highways England has identified the need for improvements at Moor Lane roundabout to support future growth in the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point.
The scheme will widen the approach to the roundabout from Sowton Industrial estate, providing an additional lane. As the Honiton Road park and ride is just off the roundabout, the scheme is expected to benefit journey times of public transport users.
The roundabout at Emperor Way / Ambassador Drive will also be upgraded, widening Ambassador Drive to create a short two-lane southbound approach to the roundabout and two lanes merging southbound. Crossing points for pedestrians and cyclist will be improved, and shared use paths will be widened.
Councillor Andrea Davis
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Development and Waste, said: “This scheme will support continued economic growth in the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point while also improving safety by addressing the queuing on the A30 approach to the roundabout. There will be benefits for pedestrians and cyclists with improvements on Ambassador Drive. The upgrade will also help ease the movement of traffic leaving Sowton Industrial Estate and Honiton Road Park and Ride.”
The scheme is being funded by the Highways England Growth and Housing Fund and the Department for Transport through the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF). The NPIF funding will also be used to deliver further sections of the E4 cycle route and a new Park and Change site near Exeter Science Park.
Councillor Emma Brennan
Councillor Emma Brennan, County Councillor for Heavitree and Whipton Barton, said: “I am pleased that officers listened to my environmental concerns regarding the loss of trees in order to develop the roundabout, and they have worked hard to ensure that biodiversity will be encouraged through planting new wildflowers. I also hope that improvements to public transport times, and benefits to pedestrians and cyclists (both in terms of access and safety) are realised through this project and other projects in the East of Exeter NPIF package including the E4 cycle route and Park and Change at Science Park.”
Councillor Marina Asvachin
Councillor Marina Asvachin, County Councillor for Wonford and St Loyes, said: “We made sure that after a biodiversity study on the trees and hedges which were removed, as much was replaced as possible with wildflowers and trees which are designed to encourage a wider range of insects and local wildlife.”
Highways England’s South West Regional Director, Andrew Page-Dove, said: “Our roads are vital for the country and its economic success; they connect businesses and communities and support employment and new homes. All of our improvements will ultimately ensure our roads continue to improve journeys and unlock the potential for new jobs and homes.”