Final bid to Government for link road between Newton Abbot and Torbay

By newtonnews | Friday, September 09, 2011, 13:08

Final plans for a major new road that supporters say will end decades of traffic jam misery on the A380 between Newton Abbot and Torbay, and help create nearly 8,000 new jobs in South Devon, were submitted to the Government today.

The present road between Newton Abbot and Torbay.

Devon County Council and Torbay Council, supported by Teignbridge District Council, jointly submitted the 5.5km dual carriageway South Devon Link Road scheme for approval by Department for Transport Ministers.

The scheme which supporters say would by-pass Kingskerswell and end the daily tailbacks trailing through the village caused by 35,000 vehicles attempting to get in and out of Torbay, is backed by local MPs, the Local Enterprise Partnership, emergency services, South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, Stagecoach, Devon and Somerset Law Society and Somerset Chamber of Commerce.

A Devon county spokesman said:

"The new road would improve bus services, enabling faster, regular services, and allow new safe cycle routes to be constructed including one through Kingskerswell. It is the key plank of a wider integrated transport plan that will include improved rail services between Newton Abbot and Torbay and a new station at Edginswell.

"The existing two lane road through the village is one of the most heavily congested roads in the country outside London and a notorious traffic choke point. Concerns over harmful vehicle emissions led to the village being designated an Air Quality Management Area monitored by environmental health experts.

"Over 4,000 vehicles a day use the local lanes as dangerous rat runs much to the concern of the emergency services.

"All three emergency services – the Police, Fire Service and Ambulance Service – strongly support the new road, as does the South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust which is responsible for the area's general hospital in Torbay. All believe that the proposed new South Devon Link Road would significantly reduce accidents, improve response times and improve patient care.

"The new road would direct an estimated 95% of traffic away from Kingskerswell, restoring and revitalising the heart of the local community.

"An estimated 7,960 jobs would be created across South Devon as a direct result of the new road being built with 3,600 new jobs in Torbay, providing the economy of the Bay area with a much needed boost.

Independent research indicates that every £1 invested into the construction of the bypass will produce a £9 stimulus to the South Devon economy."

The Mayor of Torbay, Gordon Oliver, added: "Today's submission is a compelling business case for investment in the communities and economy of South Devon. The new road is the missing link that will end the chronic congestion strangling local businesses and polluting the environment. It will be the catalyst for improved public transport and help get local people out of the benefit trap and into work."

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Comments

At last I may see the bypass finished before I die!
Good riddance to the Cirl Buntings and the Crested Newts hello to a speedier route from Penn Inn to Torbay.

By magpie8 at 05:17 on 17/09/11
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apeanut

I do live in Brixham and overlook the harbour, the coach and car park, so I see everyday how many coaches, cars and boats visit this great tourist attractive town. You maybe very pleasantly surprised if you took the time to visit and treat yourself to a splendid meal in one of the superb restaurants and enjoy the beauty of the place. Excellent place to cool tempers down...

By Martinbubba at 11:49 on 14/09/11
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apeanut.
I am so sorry that the truth of my disability offended you;and had you bothered to read my comments. I seek no pity or anything from anyone, only the excellent work of the health professionals, which I guess you would agree with.

I sometimes hate to disagree with some people who have difficulty in taking in the correct comments as their uncontrollable temper and insulting behaviour clouds their judgement.
But here goes, Brixham does have several hundred thousand visitors a year and the by-pass would be very important to the town. I now await the abuse...

By Martinbubba at 11:42 on 14/09/11
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apeanut

"I too am disabled but I never let on about it".

Don't you ?

By MrsDixon22 at 09:44 on 14/09/11
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Martinbubba...a rather sad individual who wants pity. I DO NOT MAKE A BIG JOKE OF IT ALL.

I too am disabled but I never let on about it, most disabled do not play the "poor me" card, that is for the likes of you, or you play the blue card trick. I go into hospital tomorrow to have the stents in my heart ballooned up and then go to Papworth Everard for an operation later in the month. Where was I tonight I was at Torquay United with another disabled person, another who keeps quiet about his problems.

What has your latest thoughts to do with the Torbay to Newton Road, you see you turned everything on here eventually to illness and that is a poor show mate. Get a life and keep your thoughts to yourself.

Now back to the hundreds of thousands that visit Brixham, you exaggerate everything out of all proportions.

By apeanut at 01:07 on 14/09/11
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