THE first turf of the Crediton Link Road was ceremonially cut to signal the start of works on Wednesday by the chairman of Devon County Council, Cllr Bernard Hughes.

Preparatory work and site clearance was undertaken in March and construction work got underway on the 760-metre single carriageway, which will provide a new direct route to the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate from the Wellparks roundabout on the A377.

The scheme aims to tackle congestion and improve air quality along Exeter Road as well as Charlotte Street, East Street and Mill Street.

It will support economic growth by improving access to the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate and by serving identified development sites.

The scheme will also improve network resilience by offering an alternative route in the event of roadworks or similar disruption along Exeter Road.

The new link also includes a shared cycleway and footway.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council's cabinet member for economy and growth, said: "It may have taken some time to reach this point but it's good news for residents and businesses in Crediton that work is now starting in earnest on this important scheme.

"This is a major infrastructure scheme which will help deliver economic growth, encourage more employment and investment into the region, while also tackling congestion.

"Residents in the eastern part of the town should benefit from a reduction in traffic and improved air quality and the scheme will also unlock access to residential and employment land which could deliver 800 jobs."

Councillor Nick Way, Devon County Councillor for Crediton Rural, said: "This represents the largest single investment by a local authority in our area for many years.

"The scheme aims to reduce congestion and improve air quality within the eastern part of the town including Exeter Road. I am pleased that a shared pedestrian footway/ cycleway has now also been included as part of the project."

Work will be carried out by contractor SWH and is scheduled to be completed by winter 2014/15.

Ben Pyle, Managing Director for SWH, said: "SWH is pleased to deliver this contract which will play a key role in the economic growth of the Crediton area.

"An important aspect of this project will be to provide jobs for local people; as the region's leading employer in the Civil Engineering and Construction industry this is something we pride ourselves on."

Crediton is a designated Air Quality Management Area and the Link Road forms a key part of Mid Devon District Council's Air Quality Action Plan.

Final plans for the scheme, which received £2.96 million of Local Pinch Point funding from the Department for Transport, were approved by Devon County Council in May.

Alan Quick