New Dawlish road link to ease traffic by summer 2025
New bridge and link road to A379 aim to ease pressure on growing Dawlish developments
A new bridge in Dawlish has officially been named ‘Sweet Violets Bridge’, marking a key milestone in a major infrastructure project supporting the town’s growing population.
Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council, supported by Homes England, have worked together to deliver the new bridge over Shutterton Brook, along with a vital link road.
The road connects the A379 near Sainsbury’s to over 400 homes at Secmaton Farm and Swan Park, and provides access to a further 400 homes at Gatehouse Farm.
The project has been backed by £6.2 million in funding, including £4.9 million in government grants and £1.3 million in developer contributions.
The final section of road in Area 2 will be completed by housing developers, along with a shared path for walkers and cyclists.
From summer 2025, all construction traffic for the new developments will be routed via the link road, reducing pressure on Elm Grove Road.
Once fully completed, the route will provide a direct connection between 860 new homes and the A379 Exeter Road.
Dawlish Town Council chose the bridge’s name to honour the town’s historic sweet violet industry. In the early 20th century, growing and shipping sweet violets from Dawlish to London’s Covent Garden via the “violet train” was a booming local business, providing jobs and independence to returning WWI servicemen.
The naming serves as a lasting tribute to the town’s floral heritage and its role in shaping Dawlish’s economy and community spirit.