Mid Devon District Council has successfully secured a funding package to enable delivery of the Cullompton Town Centre Relief Road.

The funding package, including additional funding to be provided by Homes England, will allow Mid Devon to progress the delivery of the relief road building upon the recent positive steps to commence the relocation of the Cullompton Cricket Club. Work will be undertaken in close conjunction with Devon County Council as delivery partner.

The relief road has been long awaited by local residents as it will address town centre congestion, improve air quality in the town and support the vibrancy of the town centre. The construction of the relief road was supported by Homes England as it is also essential in unlocking planned homes – both at North West Cullompton and to the east of the M5 where the initial phase of homes associated with the Culm Garden Village are proposed. These works would have remained stalled without the hard work of all those involved, including Mid Devon District Council, Devon County Council and Homes England.

The relief road, which secured planning permission in January 2021, will run from Station Road in the north to Duke Street in the south and will also include enhanced walking and cycling facilities to support sustainable and active travel within the town.

Completion of the road is forecast for 2028 with the major focus of work in the short term being to finalise designs, complete the acquisition of land and fully relocate the cricket club.

It is expected that the relief road will be the first phase of major road infrastructure investment in Cullompton with further investment expected to support the upgrading of J28 in order to address the capacity of the junction and support wider planned growth. A further business case for investment in the J28 junction is currently with Government for consideration.

Councillor Steve Keable, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration, said:

“This announcement is the culmination of years of hard work and effort on behalf of Mid Devon to secure the funding needed to deliver the relief road for the people of Cullompton and the local area. I am delighted that Government has recognised the opportunity and need for such investment in Cullompton. The relief road will address the growing pressure of traffic congestion and air pollution. Without the relief road Mid Devon would also not be able to meet the local need for new homes.

“Recognising this mandate for delivery, I would now call on Tesco to meaningfully engage with us in relation to the transfer of land they own which is required to deliver the relief road so that we can deliver the relief road and realise its benefits as soon as possible.”