MP shares view on link road

After nearly four years of construction, I am relieved to hear that the North Devon Link Road project is finally nearing its end.

However, given previous assurances that work would be completed by the end of October, it’s disappointing to learn of
closures now extending into late November.

Speaking as a motorist, I share the public's frustration about what has felt at times like a long, draw-out process.

I would like to thank the road crews and staff on the ground who delivered this work in all-weather, despite everything.

I strongly suspect they are not to blame when drivers see idle machinery or stationary works. For many in North Devon, the top-level planning between the Conservative-controlled Devon County Council, and contractor Griffiths, will have felt badly
disjointed.

That is particularly true for residents in Landkey, Swimbridge, Filleigh and various villages around North Molton, who have all had to suffer extremely inconvenient traffic diversions for long periods.

The £70m scheme, designed to improve three major junctions and add extra overtaking lanes over 5 miles, has significantly overrun its planned schedule.

Worse still, due to inflationary pressures faced by the developer during recent years, Devon County Council has reached an agreement with Griffiths to remove the section between Portmore and Landkey junction.

The works will no longer deliver additional lane capacity at the entry to Barnstaple, such that the "original" scheme is now
effectively under-delivered.

Even so, it stands to reason that if the work had been conducted in smaller sections, the negative impact on the community relying on this vital arterial road through North Devon could have been lessened.

It is imperative that Devon County Council learns from this experience - there are many other road projects across North Devon, big and small, that will need to be delivered successfully. Improving the timeliness of roadworks is crucial to
maintaining the patience of the public, but also the local economy of North Devon.

I am heartened by the safety improvements at newly designed junctions at West Buckland, Landkey, and Borners Bridge: these should help prevent further tragic accidents like those we have seen in recent times, sparing families from the
heartbreak that comes with loss.

Ultimately, if this scheme successfully enhances safety on the road's danger points, that at least will be a worthwhile achievement.

However, a few weeks ago I received an invitation to a celebratory VIPs reception for the North Devon Link Road's reopening. I will certainly welcome the project's completion when it arrives, but given what has happened, I am not sure celebration
is entirely appropriate.