A £5-MILLION pound scheme to improve a blackspot junction near Okehampton has been welcomed by the local community.
Replacing the Merrymeet Roundabout at Whiddon Down with a split-level junction is one of 92 schemes across the country and only one of six in the South West to benefit from a £145-million package from the Government to tackle congestion and improve safety.
The rolling programme of work to be carried out on England?s trunk roads and motorways by the Highways Agency schedules the Merrymeet scheme for 2005/2006.
Announcing the funding last week Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said: ?The Government is committed to tackling congestion and reducing the number of accidents on our roads.
?This package will address some serious bottlenecks on the motorway and trunk road network which currently cause major delays.?
The Merrymeet Roundabout is the only roundabout on the A30 between Exeter and Okehampton and the first one drivers encounter if driving from London to Cornwall via the M4 and M5 motorways.
Over the years it has been the scene of several accidents, some fatal, and was the subject of a recent study by Taunton consultants Parsons and Bickerstaff.
County councillor for the Whiddon Down area Bill Cann said to be included in just 92 schemes across the country was very fortunate.
?A flyover will not be to everybody?s taste, but that roundabout is not a good one and something needs to be done to reduce the amounts of accidents there,? he said.
Mr Cann is campaigning for a link road to be constructed at the same time, preventing heavy goods vehicles from North Tawton having to travel through Whiddon Down to join the A30.
?Unfortunately, this road would not be under the remit of the Highways Agency but Devon County Council, he said. ?In these days of partnership I cannot see why the two cannot work together to improve the situation for everybody.
?People living at Whiddon Down will not feel any benefit from the improvements at Merrymeet so it is vital that we include a link road to the A30 as part of any scheme.?