AN exhibition has set out £17.3m plans for work at a motorway junction.

Funding was secured earlier this year by Devon County Council to support the major work at junction 29 of the M5 and on the A30.

It will provide transport links to proposed developments including Exeter Science Park, the planned new community of Cranbrook, Skypark, and the future Exeter Airport expansion.

A new bridge will be built to allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross the M5, bus lanes created, and a link road made to the old A30 Honiton Road.

The first in a series of exhibitions to showcase the proposals was held at the Holiday Inn in Exeter Business Park yesterday. Further exhibitions will be held today at Sowton Village Hall from 4pm to 8pm, and on Saturday at Clyst Honiton Primary School from 11am to 4pm.

A council spokesman said: "With developments such as Cranbrook and the Exeter Science Park in place, the current local highway network will not be able to cope with traffic levels by 2016.

"Part of the solution to prevent severe congestion lies in prioritising public transport services, providing additional facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, and making highway improvements."

Highways Agency and council representatives are on hand at the exhibitions to answer questions and explain the proposals.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, county council cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "These proposals are essential in providing transport links to the growth point planned to the east of Exeter.

"This area will be vital to the future of Devon's economy so these road improvements will provide an important platform for its success."

The scheme has already been welcomed by Exeter's business community.

Derek Phillips, chairman of Exeter Chamber of Commerce, said: "It will allow absolutely essential improvements to be carried out and the Science Park, Skypark and Cranbrook developments to go ahead."

The improvements are the second phase of the transport infrastructure scheme. Phase one has been approved and features a Clyst Honiton bypass, improvements to junction 30 of the M5, public transport services and rail improvements, including a new rail station at Cranbrook.

The second phase will be funded by the county council and the Department for Transport alongside developer contributions.