County council welcomes A303/A30 investment

Devon County Council has welcomed the Government's announcement of a £2 billion investment in roads in the South West.

Years of campaigning for a “whole route improvement” of the A303 by a partnership of local authorities, including Devon County Council, have been recognised in yesterday's (Monday 1 December) Roads Investment Strategy.

The Government has confirmed that the full A303 corridor – including the A358 from the Ilminster roundabout to Taunton and the A303/A30 to Honiton – will be upgraded to transform the route into an “Expressway to the South West”.

The plans include full dualling of the route between Amesbury and Taunton, with a tunnel built at Stonehenge. Although the section of the A303 and A30 over the Blackdown Hills will not be dualled, funding is being earmarked for “smaller scale” improvements between Southfields and Honiton.

Representatives from the Councils in the region have met with three different Transport Ministers, sent numerous letters and held two MP briefing sessions in Westminster to gather support. The goal of the partnership has always been to secure a firm commitment for sustained improvements to the whole route, with a clear timetable for delivery.

Devon County Council Leader John Hart said: “The co-ordinated effort by all local authorities in the region, local MPs and other partners, has shown we mean business – and working together has helped achieved today’s outcome.

"While today’s announcement is great news, there is still work to be done to ensure this important scheme becomes a reality.

"The South West is currently hamstrung by the lowest per capita investment in transport of any English region, and the lack of reliable connectivity into the region is hampering growth. Investment in infrastructure is the highest priority for the South West’s business community, and all five LEPs in the region. The current single carriageway roads on the A303/A30 cannot cope with today’s demands, and even less so during the summer peak.

"This announcement has the potential to unlock the economic potential of the South West.”

Devon and Somerset County Councils have commissioned economic studies to highlight the benefits of improvements, and surveyed hundreds of businesses and visitors to show the widespread support. These have shown that improvements could provide 21,400 jobs, a £41.6 billion boost to the economy and £1.9 billion in transport benefits from reduced journey times. An upgrade could also prevent more than 1,800 fatal or serious injuries over 60 years and reduce carbon emissions by 9%.

Devon County Council has engaged communities along the route, as well as businesses, stakeholders, environmental bodies and central and local government. Of those who responded, 97% want this stretch of road improved.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “I’m sure countless businesses across Devon and the entire South West will applaud this funding commitment to deliver these improvements.

"We have been working hard to achieve greater connectivity in the South West and improving this vital link is a key part of that to give Devon and the rest of the region the opportunity to fulfil its potential.

"These smaller scale improvements would be designed in such a way as not to preclude a longer term dual carriageway solution in the future. The scheme offers good value for money, and will make this route more resilient; providing greater capacity and more reliable journey times. Making this a second strategic route into the South West will benefit the M4/M5 and would make Devon and the South West a more attractive proposition for inward investment.”