Sowton Interchange

The Sowton Interchange, junction 29 of the M5, is the first of two junctions between the M5 and A30 (the other being Pearce's Hill). Between the two junctions, the A30 multiplexes with the M5. It also connects to the old A30, now A3015, which leads into Exeter city centre.

Between here and junction 30, the M5 is D4M, with a dedicated lane between the two junctions.

Early proposal from 1969

The earliest known layout for the junction is from 1969 when a roundabout interchange was planned. At the same time the favoured location for Exeter Services was on the southwest corner of the junction.

Original intended full layout of current junction

In the middle of 1970 the proposals changed to a layout with two loops on the western side of the junction, allowing traffic on the northbound carriageway to get on and off. Collector/Distributor lanes were planned to link the loops together, to prevent weaving. The only part of this junction that was built was the northbound offslip and the southbound onslip giving freeflowing movements between the A30 and M5 south. A short stretch of dual carriageway was built beneath the M5 in preparation for future dualling of the A30 towards Honiton.

It was 24 years later when the A30 was eventually dualled in 1999. The original plan to complete the junction was abandoned in favour of building the north facing slips to allow access to Exeter as well as A30 east. Further work took place in 2012 to accommodate additional traffic generated by nearby development. This added the missing turn from Exeter to M5 south but introduced more signals on the A30.

Routes

Route	To	Notes
M5	The MIDLANDS, Taunton, Bristol
M5	The SOUTH WEST, Plymouth, Torquay, Okehampton
A30	Honiton	Formerly signed to London (via A303 and M3)
A3015	Exeter City Centre	Former A30

Links

• SABRE Forum Discussion

legislation.gov.uk

• The M5 Motorway (Junction 29 and the A30 Trunk Road Honiton to Exeter Improvement) (Slip Roads Special Roads) Scheme 1994

• The M5 Motorway (Junction 29 Connecting Road) Scheme 2010 - This scheme provides for the widening of the M5 Motorway southbound exit slip road at Junction 29.