A361 upgrade gets underway

A361 upgrade will see 3 years of traffic hold-ups

Work is getting underway now on the £60 million improvement works for the North Devon Link Road between South Molton and Barnstaple.

However, drivers are being warned to expect up to 35 months of delays, as the upgrade on the busy route is scheduled to be completed by December 2023.

Contractor Alun Griffiths Ltd has been appointed to carry out the work on the Government funded scheme, on behalf of Devon County Council.

The firm will carry out the planned improvements on a 4.8 mile stretch between Portmore Roundabout at Barnstaple and the Borner’s Bridge Junction at South Molton, as shown in the image opposite. Several sections of road will be widened between Portmore and Filleigh.

The project is designed to improve road safety and reduce delays. New roundabouts will be built and some junctions redesigned.

“This will boost active travel and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists will be introduced along the route,” said a spokesman for the contractors Alun Griffiths.

“Once completed it will not only benefit regional travel, it is expected to increase cross-country connectivity by improving people’s ability to travel into and out of North Devon.”

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council cabinet member for infrastructure said it is “fantastic news” for the local economy. “It is the biggest transport investment in North Devon for a generation. It will help unlock the true potential of the local economy in northern Devon,” she said.