Travel advice ahead of Devon County Show
Drivers planning to use the M5 near Exeter are advised to plan their journeys ahead of this weekend’s three-day Devon County Show at the Westpoint Showground.
The show, to be held on 2/3/4 July, is expected to attract up to 80,000 people over the three days at the Clyst St Mary venue near Exeter, with increased traffic anticipated on the M5 north and south of junctions 29 and 30, the A30 east and west of Exeter and the A38 south of Exeter.
Congestion has previously occurred during the morning influx to the show, particularly the M5 northbound between junctions 31 and 30, and traffic is likely to be particularly busy on the Friday morning.
Given current Covid restrictions, this year’s show is a ticketed event and although numbers will be reduced on previous years, the anticipated traffic increases in this area could combine with holiday journeys.
M5 traffic will be directed to use junction 30 to access the showground via the A376 and A3052, while A30 westbound traffic will be directed to exjt at the Daisy Mount junction and use the B3180 and A3052.
John Ingram, Highways England emergency planning officer for the South West, said: “We are working closely with our partners at Devon County Council and Devon and Cornwall Police to give drivers as much advice as possible to help them plan their journeys during this busy period, and our traffic officers will be patrolling the M5, A38 and A30 to assist with any breakdowns and incidents.
“Junction 30 of the M5 could be particularly busy and the north approach to junction 30 could also see significant increases in traffic between 8am and 10.30am on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, when visitors to the Devon Show could be using the motorway at the same time as local, freight and holiday traffic.
“The A30 east and west of Exeter and A38 south of Exeter could also see increases in traffic, and drivers are advised to plan their travel routes well in advance, and to keep up-to-date with the latest road conditions. Yellow signs will advise show visitors which route to take on the approaches to the show.”
In the meantime, drivers can obtain up-to-the-minute travel information on local radio and the @HighwaysSWEST Twitter feed, by phoning the Highways England Information Line on 0300 123 5000 or by accessing the website: www.trafficengland.com
