Roads across Devon are set for a long-overdue overhaul as part of a multi-billion-pound investment aiming to smooth journeys and tackle years of wear and tear.
Millions of motorists in the South West – including those travelling daily across Devon – are expected to benefit from more than £1.5 billion in funding to upgrade and future-proof key routes over the next five years.
The funding forms part of the Government’s Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), which will prioritise repairing ageing infrastructure, resurfacing major routes and fixing potholes to improve reliability for drivers, businesses and freight operators.
In Devon, the investment includes significant backing for improvements to Junction 28 of the M5 and upgrades to the A379 over the River Exe in Exeter. The latter scheme, which could not be delivered by local authorities alone, is expected to support the development of thousands of new homes and jobs in the area.
Across the wider programme, National Highways will resurface more than 9,000 kilometres of motorway and major A-road lanes – almost a quarter of the national network – alongside targeted upgrades to ease congestion and improve connectivity.
The Government has also committed a record £8.4 billion nationally to repair and renew England’s motorways and major A-roads, alongside a further £7.3 billion previously pledged to local authorities for pothole repairs and long-term road maintenance.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “For too long this country has failed to tackle and fix our crumbling infrastructure, but this investment in our roads will secure the future of our road network in the South West for years to come.
“Not only are we investing in renewing our roads, meaning smoother and faster journeys for drivers, we are getting on with investing into brand new projects which will deliver benefits across the region, from Southampton all the way to Exeter.”
Roads and buses minister Simon Lightwood said: “This Government is firmly putting its money where its mouth is, and this new funding will be transformational for the millions of drivers and thousands of businesses that rely on our motorways and A roads every day.
“By investing in existing infrastructure and new schemes, such as vital upgrades to the A417, we are giving everyone the confidence they can get from A to B faster and smoother than ever before.”
National Highways executive director Elliot Shaw said the investment would help boost economic growth while maintaining critical infrastructure.
He said: “This major investment will help boost economic growth by improving and maintaining motorways and major A roads which keep the country moving.
“Our focus on renewing vital infrastructure will keep people connected to their loved ones, support the delivery of new homes and jobs, and give industry the confidence to plan and invest in the UK.”
The programme also sets targets for National Highways on safety, journey reliability, network condition and environmental performance, allowing the Government to monitor delivery over the five-year period.
Alongside motorway and A-road improvements, councils in the South West – including Devon – are set to benefit from £1.5 billion over the next four years to tackle potholes on local roads. A new public rating system has also been introduced to show how effectively councils are using the funding.
