Barnstaple should never again become ‘the home of the traffic jam’

Since the beginning of this year, the most frequent topic in my inbox has been the works and disruption at Cedars roundabout.

I have had reservations from the outset and raised my concerns with Devon Highways at the start.

Whilst I respect the council’s decision to go ahead with the project, I struggle to understand why the excessive traffic disruption, which was completely foreseeable, has not been better managed.

I am particularly perplexed why it has been scheduled at the same time as traffic lights on the A361.

I have written to the Roads Minister to obtain road traffic planning and management support given the unfolding chaos in North Devon with multiple, uncoordinated, poorly designed, long term roadworks.

What is happening in Barnstaple is simply unacceptable. Many residents may think that this is something I have the power to control or change. However, this is where the line between being a Member of Parliament and a council officer is distinct.

As a Member of Parliament, I am the voice for North Devon in Westminster. I scrutinise legislation, work with MPs, lobby ministers, ask questions and more, all to benefit the good people of North Devon.

I have taken the opportunity to raise awareness about this issue, specifically the Cedars roundabout, in the House of Commons to the Leader of the House, Penny Mordaunt MP, during Business Questions.

She mentioned that businesses may be able to be compensated for the disruption and this is something I am investigating.

I have also spoken to officials at the Department for Transport and the Roads Minister about this and at every opportunity, I have been in contact with the council to make it clear how frustrated residents are.

However, I do not have the authority to stop these roadworks or alter these plans. Being a councillor and an MP is entirely different; I was myself a district councillor in Instow so I know that sometimes the lines can be blurred.

Decisions on local issues such as roads and planning are taken by North Devon Council and Devon County Council.

It is not helpful that often our county council are taking decisions about our road network 65 miles away in Exeter and they themselves, are not sitting in the traffic jams and understanding the consequences of the poor planning and slow pace of these roadworks.

Whilst our district council, the North Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee undertook the consultation for Cedars during lockdown with apparently no one raising how long the scheme would take place.

The Leader of Devon County Council has relayed to me that we cannot stop what has started, but I have raised this with the Department for Transport especially as more work is being done by Griffiths on the Link Road.

We must do better as and when the Link Road upgrades are completed, we must look to the next major project to help ensure that Barnstaple never again becomes the home of the traffic jam.

I want to reassure you that I am fully aware how serious the repercussions of this are and I will continue to fight for better road and traffic management in North Devon.