Essential Clyst Honiton bypass now open

A new £9 million road which is a vital link to major employment sites in the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point is now complete and has opened to traffic today (Thursday 3 October).

The Clyst Honiton Bypass opens up direct accesses into Skypark business park, the Intermodal Freight Terminal, the new community of Cranbrook and other developments nearby and will keep heavy traffic off smaller local roads around the village of Clyst Honiton.
 
The route is to the east of the village of Clyst Honiton, and connects the A30 from the Exeter airport junction, to the B3174 ‘London Road’ (known locally as ‘the old A30’) near Hayes Farm. The bypass is essential infrastructure, enabling the planned growth east of Exeter over the next 20 years.

The bypass includes an innovative 80 metre tunnel, which has been constructed to meet aviation safety standards as the road passes under the end of the runway of Exeter International Airport.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “This bypass is another illustration of the investment being made in key infrastructure in the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point. The partnership approach which has made this project possible is laying the foundations for Devon’s economic growth. I am sure local residents and businesses will be pleased to see this bypass completed. It is vital for Skypark, as well as the other business and housing developments in the area, as it ensures convenient access to the A30, M5 and Exeter Airport.”

Councillor Paul Diviani, Leader of East Devon District Council and current Chair of the Exeter and Heart of Devon Growth Board, said: “This is a great day for the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point. The bypass is one of our pivotal projects, it unlocks many of the developments, improves the management of traffic in the area, and in particular, the sustainable benefits for Clyst Honiton itself, which will no longer being subject to larger vehicles using the village road.”

Exeter City Council Leader, Pete Edwards, said: "The city is open for business and this is another manifestation of the investment that is being made in the wider Exeter growth area."

The Clyst Honiton Bypass has been backed by a significant amount of public sector funding - £3 million has come from the Homes and Communities Agency’s Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) and £4.5 million of Growth Point funding with the balance being funded by the consortium of developers of Cranbrook.

Steve Jackson, HCA Area Manager, said: “We have worked with partners to support East Devon’s growth ambitions because we understand the fantastic contribution these projects will make to the local economy. The new community of Cranbrook is progressing well and this new road will form a vital part in supporting the continued growth planned for the area, including opening access to the employment space at Skypark.”

Mike Owen, Project Manager to the New Community Partners (Cranbrook Consortium (Hallam Land, Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey) added: “The bypass is indeed a key piece of strategic infrastructure serving both Cranbrook and the wider East of Exeter area. We are delighted that this major project has been successfully completed ahead of our development obligations, within the forecast budget, in close partnership with Devon County Council as highway authority and with the assistance and support of the Exeter and East Growth Point Board. There is significant pride within the Project Team at having worked on and delivered this prestigious scheme.”

Ian Guy, Senior Development Manager for St. Modwen, the company working with Devon County Council as the joint venture partner and developer of the £210 million Skypark scheme, said: “The completion of the Clyst Honiton bypass is a vital piece of infrastructure for the Skypark development and is central to the overall growth of the Exeter and East Devon Growth Area. There will be a real sense of having arrived at a vibrant new area when people drive up the bypass through the impressive new tunnel past Skypark’s new entrance. Skypark now has immediate connections to Exeter Airport, and the A30 dual carriageway linking to the nearby M5 motorway. It also sits on a new rapid public transport route, so occupiers will be able to reap the benefits of Skypark’s strategic location.”

The Exeter Science Park and Skypark business development are expected to create more than 10,000 jobs and generate around £450million in private sector investment.