Major changes to a town’s gridlocked roads are being achieved thanks to the North Devon Journal.

A scathing editorial in the paper last year, which called on authorities to do more to ease traffic problems in Barnstaple, prompted a forum to be set up to help improve the road system.

As a result of the forum’s meetings, chaired by Journal managing editor Andy Cooper and county councillor Brian Greenslade, several initiatives have been achieved, with more on the way.

These include an upgrade of the notorious Seven Brethren traffic lights designed to improve traffic flow, new signage and road layouts at The Square, and the widening of some roads.

The Journal’s Andy Cooper said: “The forum’s achievements are already significant and there is more to come.

“We hope motorists travelling in and around Barnstaple who may have noticed these improvement works taking place will now realise they didn’t just happen by accident.

“A lot of time and energy has been put in by all members of the Forum through a series of meetings since the start of the New Year and the results are now starting to bear fruit.”

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