Link Road ‘complete in October’ pledge

Link Road ‘complete in October’ pledge

Molton Monthly Magazine exclusively revealed on its social media channels (September 11th) that Griffiths, the contractors working on the £67 million North Devon Link Road improvement scheme, say they’ll now finish ‘by the end of October 2024’ - 10 months behind schedule.

The overrunning roadworks project has been beset by problems since it started in February 2021, including rises in the cost of materials which led to it being scaled back to keep within budget, extremes of weather and unverified reports of issues with contract staff. It was originally due to be completed in December 2023.

Ian Roome, the new MP for North Devon told Molton Monthly Magazine, “I doubt there’s a motorist anywhere in North Devon who won’t be pleased to see the end of this road upgrade, after what has felt like a long time stuck at 40mph.”

“North Devon desperately needs better transport links, and we really don’t want to head into another winter with work on the road incomplete.

Councillor Andrea Davis ‘breaking ground’ on the project in February 2021

“Despite the delays and some unfortunate twists and turns in the project, I’ve also been told that things now look more promising for late October, and frankly, it can’t come a moment too soon.”

Caroline Cann from Griffiths said, “After all sections have opened to road users, final audits will be carried out, plus landscaping and some minor work will continue.”

The key points from the latest update are:

* Most main sections of the A361 set to be finished by the end of September

* The new West Buckland junction will be last to be completed in late October

* An extra overtaking lane between Portmore roundabout and Landkey roundabout has been dropped, replaced with hatched lining to ‘discourage overtaking’

* Average speed cameras will be in place between the new Landkey roundabout and Aller Cross roundabout at South Molton

* Overnight road closures with diversions will continue into October

There has also been resurfacing, new roundabouts at Borners Bridge South Molton and Landkey, three sections have been widened with overtaking lanes, plus upgrades to drainage to cope with climate change. The foot/cycle bridge at Landkey is for a proposed new 800 home development.

To keep up to date see: community.griffiths. co.uk/our_projects/north-devon-link-road/

Above, the new bridge over the A361 at West Buckland and below, construction of the bridge access road from Filleigh and Heddon