£1 million for Barnstaple roundabout improvements

Cedars junction cash is from developers

One million pounds will be spent on major improvements to a busy junction in Barnstaple.

Funded by contributions from nearby housing developments, a new pedestrian and cycle crossing at Cedars Roundabout aims to reduce delays for traffic travelling from the Bickington direction.

Proposals for the new staggered ‘toucan’ crossing on the Bickington Road approach to the roundabout were approved by Devon County Council’s cabinet on Wednesday. Additional bus priority measures are also being explored.

Once built, the traffic lights at the crossing will turn red on the approach to the roundabout during peak times in the morning, even if no pedestrians are crossing.

The council claims this will allow traffic from Bickington and Fremington to enter the roundabout more easily and ease traffic coming from that direction.

Traffic entering the junction at this point is often delayed during the morning because priority is given to traffic from the A39 south and Roundswell, turning right into Barnstaple.

The plans follow a public consultation last year, which showed a majority of respondents in favour, and a successful trial in 2019 that revealed a reduction in journey times for vehicles entering the roundabout from Bickington/ Fremington and Roundswell.

Explaining why the project should be approved, a report to the cabinet said: “Over 1,300 houses are planned/expected to be built in the current local plan period, to 2031, along this corridor. This is predicted to add traffic through the Cedars roundabout as there is no alternative route to drive to Barnstaple.”

Councillor Andrea Davis (Conservative, Combe Martin Rural), cabinet member for transport said: “This is in line with the whole drive we have about encouraging active travel and giving safe passage across roads.

“But equally we will be looking at additional bus priority measures because, frankly, if more people use different forms of transport then the problem would be somewhat alleviated by less motor cars on the road.”

In a statement sent to cabinet, Councillor Frank Biederman (Independent, Fremington Rural) added that he was “delighted” with the proposal.

“It has been a long drawn out battle I have been on since being elected to the council in 2013. I, and the residents of my ward, have had to suffer unbearable delays through Bickington.

“The scheme through traffic modelling trials have proven to work by reducing journey times from both arms of the Cedars Roundabout, so this will also be a benefit to the residents of Roundswell, as well as Bickington and beyond.”

However, the report added a note of caution, stating: “Due to the junction and the exit towards Barnstaple being at capacity, it is possible that the scheme will result in some additional congestion on the Roundswell approach to the junction.

“This will be monitored, and signal timing can be adjusted to ensure the capacity of the junction is shared fairly between the main approaches.”

The cabinet unanimously approved the scheme.