A PREFERRED route for a Cullompton Town Centre relief road was supported by Devon County Council on Wednesday, March 13.
The Council’s Cabinet also approved the development of a planning application for the relief road which will aim to tackle congestion and improve air quality in Cullompton High Street.
Mid Devon District Council and Devon County Council carried out a joint public consultation last year, putting forward three options for the scheme. The route along the railway side of the Cullompton Community Association (CCA) fields was the preferred option of the local community and this was agreed by Mid Devon District Council earlier this year.
It is recognised that the route passes through the CCA field, impacts on various sports facilities and the flood plain. The planning application will take special care to try and mitigate the impact on these facilities and consult on the scheme as it is developed. Another public consultation will take place once the alignment of the relief road has been finalised, prior to the submission of the planning application.
Mid Devon District Council has submitted a funding bid to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for the construction of the road.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Development and Waste, said: “This scheme is a long-held aspiration for the County Council as well as Mid Devon District and Cullompton Town Councils. Not only will it reduce traffic congestion to benefit the town centre but it will also support growth in the Cullompton area.”
Councillor John Berry, County Councillor for Cullompton and Bradninch, said: “I’m delighted with the result, which is long overdue. This relief road will reduce traffic through the town centre and will also provide economic growth in the town.
“Long-term, after the north west distributor road is built, it would be nice to think Cullompton could have a one way system through the town.”
Councillor Richard Chesterton, Cabinet Member for planning and regeneration at Mid Devon District Council, said: “This is yet another step in the right direction for this much needed relief road. There is still a long way to go but, with our partners at Devon County Council, we are committed to this project which will bring considerable improvements to the town centre and the future prosperity of the area for the people and businesses of Cullompton.”
The relief road is in Devon County Council’s Transport Infrastructure Plan - Delivering Growth to 2030 and will support future developments such as the first phase of the Culm Garden Village.