'Deteriorating' Devon bridge to be replaced

Devon County Council said it has been given to go ahead to replace the Baulk Bridge on the B3181 near Cullompton

A major project to replace a deteriorating Devon bridge has been given the go ahead by the council.

The £7.92m revamp of Baulk Bridge on the B3181 near Cullompton was approved by cabinet members at Devon County Council on Wednesday.

The council said the bridge, built in 1924, was the county's oldest reinforced concrete bridge, but "vulnerable to deterioration and reinforcement corrosion".

It said these issues had affected the structural integrity of Baulk Bridge and engineers had said it was no longer viable to repair the bridge and it could soon be closed permanently if it was not replaced.

The construction is due to begin in spring 2026, the council said, and that the new bridge would safeguard a vital transport link between Exeter and Cullompton.

Councillor Dan Thomas, cabinet member for highways, said the new bridge would serve as the diversion route for the M5 motorway for at least the next 120 years and ensure long-term viability for both local traffic and emergency motorway diversions.

He said: "Once completed, the old Baulk Bridge and redundant road section will be demolished to improve flood conveyance along the River Culm.

"The new bridge will not only secure a critical transport corridor but also deliver environmental and safety benefits for the local area and region as a whole.

"We aim for the tender process to begin at some point in the next few months, and we will look for a contractor that offers both technical competence and economic value."

'Minimize disruption'

The council said the new bridge would be constructed on a realigned section of the B3181, approximately 30 metres downstream of the existing structure bridge.

It added this approach allowed the current road to remain open during much of the construction work, which will minimize disruption to the route which carries 5,000 vehicles a day.

The project has been funded by the council's Bridges and Structures Local Transport Capital Fund.