Work is due to start at the end of January 2017 on a major highways widening scheme on Kings Ash Road, Paignton between Churscombe Cross Roundabout and Luscombe Lane.

This is the third phase of the £8.4m ‘Western Corridor Improvements’ programme, with a further two remaining to be undertaken later in 2017/18.  The programme is supported with £7.3m Growth Deal funding from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSWLEP).  This £3m, jointly funded, phase will widen this section of Kings Ash Road to create additional lanes and provide a shared footway and cycleway.

The existing traffic signal junction at Spruce Way will be widened and the life expired traffic lights will be replaced to allow for future growth in this area. There will also be earthworks, surfacing and drainage works, along with associated footway and street lighting improvements.

A plan of the widening scheme can be found on the Western Corridor page. The main parts of the works are expected to take 11 months and are due to be completed by the end of 2017.

In order to safely carry out the initial section of the works, Kings Ash Road will be closed to through traffic from Higher Ramshill Lane to Churscombe Cross Roundabout for 8 weeks, from the end of January until the end of March 2017. This is to enable part of the existing road to be excavated and lowered to improve visibility. During this time, diversions will be in place and road users are urged to find alternative routes.

Executive Lead for Transport and Highways, Cllr Mark King said: “These works show a major investment into improving one of Torbay’s major routes, to reduce congestion and allow for future growth within this area of Paignton.

“Torbay Council has been successful in obtaining significant funding from central government and this scheme is the next phase of an ongoing programme of works to improve sections of Brixham Road and Kings Ash Road. This will improve transport links for both residents and businesses and promote future economic growth.

“I appreciate that the proposed closure of this section of road and the on-going works will cause some inconvenience to road users, for which we apologise, however we are carrying these works out during the quieter months of the year to minimise disruption to the area.”

Steve Hindley, Chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We’re really pleased to see yet another one of our Growth Deal funded projects starting on site, with a £7.3m contribution from Growth Deal 1. It’s part of our investment programme which is now approaching half a billion pounds and will deliver economic benefits across the whole of the Heart of the South West area, which includes Devon, Somerset and Plymouth as well as Torbay.

“The Western Corridor scheme will boost the economic development of Torbay by improving access to both existing and planned sites for employment and housing, which aim to create over 1700 new jobs and over 1600 additional dwellings by 2021.”

Some advanced works are currently taking place to clear the site to ensure work can start on the road widening in January. Torbay Council will be working with the contractor to minimise the disruption caused by the works, although some delays due to the construction work should be expected.