In September last year, I wrote to Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for the Future of Roads, urging the Government to prioritise the A379 Bridge Road scheme in Exeter as part of the Major Road Network programme. I made clear my full support for Devon County Council’s bid to secure the funding needed to deliver these essential improvements, and I am pleased that the Government has now confirmed the scheme will remain within the Large Local Major Funding process.
Bridge Road is one of the most important routes in our area, linking Exmouth, Topsham and the eastern fringes of Exeter with the city centre and the M5. Each day, thousands of people including commuters, businesses and students rely on this route, whether travelling by car, public transport, cycling or on foot. As the area continues to grow, that reliance is only increasing.
New housing developments are a vital part of meeting demand, but they must be matched by the infrastructure needed to support them. Too often, roads and transport links are left playing catch up, placing additional strain on routes that are already under pressure. Bridge Road is a clear example of this challenge and why timely investment is so important.
Currently the A379 Bridge Road has severe congestion, which is only worsening, safety remains a concern, and without investment there is a real risk of lane closures due to ageing infrastructure. This would cause significant disruption and weaken access to jobs, education and essential services, affecting both local people and the wider local economy.
The proposed scheme addresses these issues directly, delivering the replacement of two life expired bridges with modern bascule bridges, alongside carriageway realignment and improvements to safety and public transport links on this key route into Exeter. While there will inevitably be a period of disruption during construction, investing now to futureproof vital infrastructure such as Bridge Road is essential to support sustainable growth in the years ahead.