DEVON County Council has confirmed its commitment to the local economy by announcing support for major infrastructure improvements.

In approving its budget today (Friday, February 13), the County Council Cabinet allocated £2.25 million for design costs and essential technical studies to kick-start future improvements to the A303/A30 and A39/A361 North Devon Link Road.

The announcement by Devon County Council has been welcomed by MPs who have been campaigning for greater Government investment in Devon’s key road links.

In the case of the A39/A361 North Devon Link Road, the cash will now be used to prepare improvement schemes and get them “shovel ready” for a bid for Government funding through the Growth Deal or other sources.

Design funding for the A303/A30 will enable the County Council working with the Department for Transport, Highways Agency and Blackdowns AONB to advance much needed improvements between Honiton and Broadway. It will support the Government’s £2 billion plan for the A303/A30/A358 to improve this vital strategic route from London to the South West Peninsula.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: "Devon County Council is committed to these two schemes, as investing in infrastructure will unlock growth opportunities in the county. It’s also vital for the continuing economic development of Devon that we have a viable alternative road route into the county to bolster our resilience.

“Funding for this work is an important step forward to get initial designs off the ground in the coming financial year. We need to negotiate with the Government and the Highways Agency on the detail of the A303/A30, and we will be meeting with Transport Minister John Hayes later this month to discuss our priorities in getting this underway.

"We are also in discussion with the Local Transport Board and LEP about advancing the case for big investments in the North Devon Link Road through the Growth Deal or equivalents. Having a shovel ready scheme will greatly strengthen the case for investment.”

The funding from Devon County Council will help kickstart the design of a widened road with a smoother alignment to improve safety and journey quality on the A30/A303 through the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from Honiton.

Developing additional overtaking lanes and junction improvements between Honiton and Broadway in Somerset is estimated to cost around £220 million.

The North Devon Link Road scheme will consider the development of additional lanes and junction improvements between Tiverton and Barnstaple, as well as improvements to a number of key junctions.

Work has already started on improvements to the North Devon Link Road/A39 corridor, with completion of the first phase of Roundswell roundabout part-funded with Department for Transport Local Pinch Point funding.

Growth Deal funding has also been awarded to invest £1 million in the Heywood Road Junction on the A39 in Bideford in in 2015/16, £2 million for further improvements around the Roundswell access in Barnstaple, which includes £700,000 in 2015/16 - and £1.5 million for improvements to the A361 North Devon Link Road, including £500,000 in 2015/16.

The Devon County Council funding has won support from local MPs.

Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton, said: “I am delighted that this bottleneck through the Blackdown Hills is receiving much needed investment to improve journey times for road users.

"This government is investing £2 billion to transform the whole A303/A30/A358 route into a new strategic corridor to the South West. We need transport infrastructure fit for the 21st Century and these improvements to the A303/A30 are good news for road safety and good news for Devon’s economy.”

Sir Nick Harvey, MP for North Devon, said: “I am very pleased to see Devon County Council approving this crucial first step towards improvements to the North Devon Link Road, which is the cornerstone of North Devon’s connectivity and potential for economic growth.

"Having a scheme ready and waiting to go will make this a far more appealing prospect to government departments going forward.

"I have lobbied Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander and Transport Minister Susan Kramer for progress on the A361 and both have agreed to see what can be done in Government.

"But getting funding for the project is a slow process and the idea that some people have that we can see the whole thing dualled in the near future is simply unrealistic – I am continuing to campaign in Westminster for funding to be allocated to this area which is of upmost importance to my North Devon constituents, and I welcome DCC giving this priority.”