A new £5.7m junction, off the A361 near Tiverton, was officially opened on Monday 30 October.

The new Tiverton Eastern Urban Extension access junction is a vital part of new infrastructure links to developments that are currently being delivered and planned to the east of Tiverton, as part of the Council’s local plan.

The new left-in-left-out junction, which has been delivered by Devon County Council, will provide access to the development and reduce pressure on areas such as Blundell’s School and Halberton by diverting traffic away from them.

Redrow Homes is delivering one of the first phases of housing on the urban extension including the road between the new junction and Blundell’s Road. It is a key part of the Tiverton Eastern Urban Extension, providing improved connections to North Devon and the rest of the country.    

Those in attendance included Council Chairman - Cllr Frank Letch MBE, Deputy Leader - Cllr Simon Clist and Director of Place – Richard Marsh, as well as Tiverton and Honition MP - Richard Foord and representatives from Devon County Council and Redrow Homes.

Councillor Simon Clist, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services, said:

“The opening of this junction marks a significant milestone for the Tiverton EUE, supporting more opportunities for housing, education, and employment land in Mid Devon.”

Councillor Andrea Davis, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport at Devon County Council, said:

“I’m pleased that the junction is now open. It will open up access to future developments, which will help continue economic growth in the county and will help reduce the amount of traffic away from Halberton and Blundell’s Road.”

Councillor Percy Prowse, Chair of Devon County Council, said:

“It’s a pleasure to be able to officially open this major scheme and I want to thank local people for their patience while the work has been carried out.”

Sian Smith, Sales Director for Redrow South West, said:

“We’re delighted to have supported with the creation of this new slip road which we know will benefit to the local community. After working closely with Mid Devon District Council and Devon County Council to ensure everything is finished to highest standard, we’re thrilled to announce the road is officially open for business.

“The slip road will help reduce traffic through the town centre, as well as acting as a quicker and easier way for locals to reach the A31, making the commute to nearby towns and cities less of a chore. The brand-new road is just the start of the huge investment we’ll be injecting into the area, which includes support for education providers, a community centre and cycle paths.

“We’re excited to continue our work in the area and would advise anyone interested in being part of this thriving community to come down to Blundell’s Grange and see the wonderful homes we have on offer!”