Councillor calls for action on Affinity Devon Outlet junction

A local district councillor is calling for urgent changes to the traffic lights at the Affinity Devon Outlet junction in Bideford following a series of accidents at the location. 

Councillor Simon Inch, who represents Bideford South, has been pressing for improvements for over two years.

"I have been asking for the traffic lights to be looked at for the last 2 years," Councillor Inch said. 

"The county council did carry out a safety audit a few months ago. I think it's high time something should be done to help prevent accidents."

Councillor Inch explained that he believes the sequence of traffic lights is a contributing factor to the accidents and has been trying to get the county council to address this issue. He also raised concerns about drivers regularly jumping the lights, a situation he witnesses daily due to his proximity to the junction, as he lives on locally. 

"I see drivers jump the lights almost every day," Councillor Inch added.

Earlier this year, DCC introduced a speed camera on Clovelly Road near the junction in an attempt to reduce speeding in the area.

However, despite the efforts, Councillor Inch continues to push for further action.

DCC recently carried out a safety audit on the traffic lights, but Councillor Inch has yet to receive any findings from the two-day survey.

A Devon County Council spokesperson commented: “Safety at the Affinity Devon Outlet junction in Bideford is still being monitored having been identified for investigation following a series of five collisions recorded between 2018 and 2022. No further incidents were recorded in 2023. A speed camera has been introduced earlier this year to help manage approach speeds on Clovelly Road, and minor modifications to the traffic signals are being planned.”