A “BUSINESS” case will be submitted to Government for funding to deliver a second M5 junction and bridge at Cullompton.

Devon County Council’s (DCC) Cabinet recently approved the submission of a Strategic Outline Case for funding to the Department of Transport (DfT) following overwhelming support from local people. 

Earlier this year people were invited to have their say on proposals to reduce traffic queues at Junction 28 (M5) by building a second bridge and junction to the south of Cullompton.

The proposals also included a Cullompton Relief Road, from Duke Street to Station Road and supporting walking and cycling infrastructure improvements.  

Almost 900 people responded to the engagement, with 92 per cent supporting the need for a Town Centre Relief Road and 95 per cent supporting the need for improvements to Junction 28.

Almost 80 per cent of those who responded backed the preferred option, a second bridge and south facing slip roads.

The delivery of a new junction would help alleviate congestion at peak times - currently there are long queues to use Junction 28 on weekdays, often stretching all the way along Station Road between High Street and Junction 28.

And the number of vehicles sitting “idle” while waiting to use the junction also reduces the air quality and therefore the quality of life for local people in the town.

A new second junction is also essential for the delivery of Mid Devon District Council’s (MDDC) development of homes and employment land in allocated Local Plan sites at Culm Garden Village and North West Cullompton. 

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “I want to thank everyone who took part in the consultation, it has further strengthened our case for our funding bid to the Department of Transport.

“Congestion is a major issue in the town and has been for some time and the slip road and junction no longer has the capacity to cope with the volume of traffic.

“It’s affecting the local economy, people’s lives and the viability of future development plans in the area.

“I’m pleased to see that an overwhelming majority of those who responded agree that our proposals for a new junction is the best solution.”

Councillor John Berry, the local county councillor for Cullompton and Bradninch, said: “I have been campaigning for the Cullompton Relief Road and a second junction, for a long time.

“Many doubted it would ever happen, but I am delighted that after many years of encouraging people to think positively that we are now going to send our business case for funding to Government.

“The daily volume of traffic that uses Junction 28 is untenable; it’s so high at peak times that cars queue dangerously onto the slip roads, the Town is gridlocked, and it has a knock-on effect on the wider local network, roads such as the B3181, and the A373 to Honiton.

“I’m delighted that so many local people agree that it is vital something needs to be done and support the proposals. It’s the only viable way forward.”

The survey results can be found on Devon County Council's website.