Heanton Street was also affected by the traffic because of its narrowness - "the passage of so many large biuses and charabancs through the summer season often caused problems at the junction with the Square. A scheme was proposed to improve matters as part of a programme for Devon Road improvements to be undertaken by the County Council at a cost of about £1million.

In 1928 the local paper reported that so many vehicles were passing along Wrafton Road on their way to and from Saunton, Croyde and Ilfracombe that a bus dislodged the gate pillars of one property and several pedestrians were injured.

Another view of the busy junction. Policeman were said to need 6 pairs of arms to control the traffic at this point and Cllr FW Moon insisted that something should be done. It was decided to ask the County Council to put up traffic control lights. In the centre of the photograph can be seen Frankpitt's Railway Inn which was demolished to build the new Exeter Road.

After the opening of the new Challoners Road in the late 1920's six roads converged at the Square, Challoners, Road, East Street, Caen Street, Heanton Street and South Street. Barnstaple Rural Council were told that it was too much for one polceman to control.

A two foot gauge railway was built to assist in the laying of the road. County Council staff were responsible for the design work and construction was helped using 50% of labour from depressed areas.

The new road deviated from the old road and Duckpool, Chivenor, passed through Wrafton - crossing Knowle water by a new bridge and came through to the centre of Braunton. A total length of a mile and a quarter. Land had to be purchased all along the route and the photograph here shows it passing along the top of Arlington Terrace. Land and compensation work cost £14,500.

The road was completed in 1931. It has been surfaced with concrete by a mixer set up along side the road. Chariman of Braunton Parish Council EJ Slee opened the road. The road surface was a bit too white at the beginning of WW11 and there were concerns that it would be mistaken for the airfield at Chivenor so it was covered with bitumen and fine stone chippings.

The Maid of Skir was a 2ft gfauge steam locamotive built by Kerr, Stuart and Co Ltd. of Stoke on Trent. She was allocated, together with 'The Rose of Torridge' and 'Bunty', to the Northern Division of DCC and used on several shemes in the area including the new Exeter Road in Braunton.

Looking back up the recently completed Exeter Road

Looking up Exeter Road in 1990 - one of the main shopping streets in the village