Roundabout improvement work to start

Work is due to get underway on improvements to Cedars Roundabout at Bickington on Monday 22 January.

The scheme includes the installation of a new signalised crossing on the southern arm of the roundabout. As well as making it easier for people to cross the A3125 Bickington Road, it will also help vehicles from the Bickington and Fremington area to enter the roundabout to ease traffic flow in that direction.

A successful trial in 2019 which used temporary traffic signals on the A3125 south of the roundabout led to a reduction in average journey times for vehicles entering the roundabout from the Bickington/Fremington direction and also from the Roundswell direction.

Work, which is expected to be completed in June, involves:

• Widening of the southern arm of the roundabout to accommodate the new staggered signalised crossing;
• Realignment of the existing hedgebanks reusing the existing stone;
• Provision of new street lighting, road markings and signs;
• Installation of traffic sensors in the road;
• Relocation of utility company pipes and cables.

The majority of the work will be carried out using temporary traffic lights at the roundabout, although there will be occasional overnight road closures (6:30pm-7am) for approximately 15 nights throughout the duration of the scheme to enable certain elements of work to be undertaken safely.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “This is a major scheme on a busy junction so unfortunately delays will be unavoidable while work is carried out but in the long term it will improve safety and traffic flow in this area. There is never a perfect time for working on the highway, but this project has been planned to start after the Christmas holidays and to avoid as much of the summer as possible. Every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum but please bear with us.”

Councillor Caroline Leaver, County Councillor for Barnstaple South, said: “During the period of installing the lights there is going to be considerable disruption to ordinary traffic flow and drivers are encouraged to avoid the area if they possibly can. People, particularly those coming from the Bideford or Torrington direction, should use the Link Road up to the stones roundabout rather than get caught up in the roadworks.”

Councillor Frank Biederman, County Councillor for Fremington Rural, said: "These works are going to cause delays for residents throughout the period, but I hope that the long term gain, will outweigh the short term disruption. It often takes up to an hour to travel the three miles to Barnstaple in peak times, from Fremington the trial clearly showed that as well as reducing travel times from Fremington and Roundswell through the Cedars Roundabout it reduced the amount of traffic on alternative routes, making them safer for pedestrians, especially Old School Lane in Fremington, which is the most obvious walking route to school for those from the bottom end of the village. I am pleased that 30 trees are going to be planted by North Devon Council in and around Roundswell to compensate the ones we have lost."

Bridge Civil Engineering Ltd will carry out the work on behalf of Devon County Council.

Following the removal of ten trees from the site last year arrangements have been made with North Devon Council for 30 new trees to be planted in suitable locations nearby.

For more information please email DCC-Cedars-Roundabout@wsp.com or visit https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/cedars-roundabout/