Cullompton: give your views on 'second' M5 Junction plans
Local people are invited to share their views on proposals to reduce traffic queues at Junction 28 (M5) at Cullompton by building a second bridge and junction to the south.
The new junction is a key part of Mid Devon District Council’s (MDDC) development of allocated Local Plan sites at Culm Garden Village and North West Cullompton.
From Wednesday December 13th until Monday February 5th, the public will have the chance to view and comment on our preferred option by filling out a short online survey.
The results of this survey will form part of our Strategic Outline Case (SOC) for funding to the Department of Transport.
Previously MDDC secured funding to deliver the SOC from Homes England
This funding application to the Large Local Majors Fund will also include proposals for the Cullompton Relief Road, from Dukes Street to Station Road.
Additional to the online survey, there will be two public engagement events:
- Monday January 8th, 15:30-19:00, Cullompton Community Centre, Pye Corner EX15 1JX
- Wednesday January 10th, 12:00-16:00, Cullompton Library, Hayridge Centre, EX15 1DJ
Currently there is significant queuing to use the Junction 28 on weekdays, both outbound in the morning and inbound in the evening,
Frequently these queues stretch all the way along Station Road between High Street and Junction 28 which reduces the air quality in the town.
To resolve this Devon County Council(DCC) has been working with MDDC and stakeholders National Highways, the Environment Agency, and Network Rail to find best solution.
The preferred option is to construct a new second junction and bridge to the south of Junction 28 with south facing slip-roads.
This new junction and Relief Road will reduce queues and delays at Junction 28, reduce congestion and improve air quality throughout the town centre.
This scheme will include bus priority on the local road network and a new a multi-use trail on the bridge itself.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “It’s clear that junction is no longer able to cope with the daily volume of traffic that passes through it, and this causes significant congestion on nearby roads, such as the B3181.
“It leads to queuing on M5 slip road, it is affecting air quality in the town, people’s quality of life and it is essential for the delivery of badly needed homes in the area.
“We have been working closely with Mid Devon District Council to find the best solution that also includes the construction of a town centre relief road.
“We now have a preferred solution, and we are asking local people to look at what we are proposing and comment.
“This engagement is a vital part of the process that will culminate in a bid to the Department of Transport. The more who respond, the stronger our case will be.”
Councillor Steve Keable, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration at Mid Devon District Council, said:
“For many years the lack of road infrastructure for Cullompton has resulted in congestion and misery. The Town Centre Relief Road together with an additional M5 junction is essential, without it the ambitious plans for east Cullompton and the award winning Culm Garden Village concept cannot go ahead. We are delighted these proposals are moving forward and we are now at able to seek the public’s views on the plans.”
Councillor John Berry, the local county councillor Member for Cullompton, said: “I’m delighted to see these proposals for a much needed relief road and second junction.
“This is something I have been campaigning for for a long time. Over the years the amount of traffic has steadily increased leaving junction 28 and the town congested at peak times.
“A second junction is vital to deliver more homes as outlined in Mid Devon District Councils Local Plan and I would encourage local people to give their views as this will support the business case for funding from the Department for Transport.”
The survey can be founf on Devon County Council's Have Your Say webpage.
