Exeter has a new gateway bridge at huge housing site

The new bridge over the A379 is open

A new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the A379 is now open. The 36-metre span bridge has been designed as a ‘gateway’ feature to a new development area.

It comes as part of the ongoing South West Exeter development project. Devon County Council has pledged £55m of infrastructure improvements to the edge of the city, including the new bridge, road widening, an upgrade of the Devon Hotel roundabout and the addition of 2,500 new homes.

Over 295 homes have been built in the development so far and work is ongoing on a further 410. The area will also benefit from over 21 hectares of employment land.

Two new signal junctions have also been created – the school access junction and the eastern junction (serving the Cavanna development). Work started last September on a new signal junction at Trood Lane as well as improvements to the Devon Hotel roundabout.

A number of panels designed by artist Isabel Coulton have been installed on the new bridge. It also includes architectural lighting.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “This new bridge provides an important walking and cycling link over the A379, connecting both sides of the development in South West Exeter. I’m sure it will be well used, particularly by students on their way to school and people using the new Ridgetop Park.”

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “Delivering this new infrastructure will make it easier to walk and cycle to the new homes, jobs, schools and green space being delivered in this area. It’s vital these improvements to the highway are in place to ensure that people have the option to choose active travel for short journeys.”

Councillor Alan Connett, County Councillor for Exminster & Haldon, said: “The bridge is a vital part of the overall development, and will be a safe route for children walking to the local school, when it is open, as well as for pedestrians and cyclists crossing over the busy A379 before. It is a busy ‘gateway’ route with art panels and lighting on the bridge which will help establish it as a feature for a new and growing local community of some 2,500 new homes, mostly in the parish of Exminster and part of Exeter. The new Ridgetop Park will, I am sure, become a key local destination for people to visit and enjoy the commanding views over the city and neighbouring communities.”