A361 between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe awarded £5m to make it safer

Devon County Council has been awarded more than £5million by the Department for Transport (DfT) to deliver safety improvements on the A361 in North Devon.

The route, which runs between Ilfracombe and Barnstaple, is one of 17 roads in England to be allocated funding from the Safer Roads Fund.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for highways management, said: “I’m delighted we have been awarded this funding and it will enable us to deliver potentially life-saving improvements on this important route.

“We are looking closely at what improvements could be made at a number of locations along the route.

“While no final decision has yet been made, we are likely to focus on a package of safety improvements which include speed management, junction upgrades, better pedestrian crossing points and improved community connections to the Tarka Trail to encourage future growth in walking and cycling.”

North Devon MP Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon said: "Over a year ago, I began campaigning to make the A361 safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in and around Braunton and Ashford.

"Having located the appropriate Department for Transport scheme, I worked alongside Cllr Pru Maskell and Cllr Andrea Davis to lobby Devon Highways to ensure a bid was submitted following a tragic, fatal accident at the Heddon Mills Junction. Whilst we all welcome this significant funding it unfortunately comes in the wake of a further serious accident near Ashford over the
weekend.
“I have been in regular contact with the Department for Transport over the ongoing issues on our North Devon road network with the delays on the Link Road, Cedars Roundabout and ongoing pothole problems. To clarify, the maintenance and repair of our roads and potholes resides with Devon County Council as no roads in North Devon fall under National Highways. The Department for Transport have required local authorities to detail their plans to reduce the pothole proliferation we have seen in recent years and I will continue to work with the Department to ensure our local Highways Department delivers
good value for government money, which is ultimately taxpayer’s money."