Time to have your say on future transport plans across Devon
The local authority say Transport plays a vital role in helping make the county place to grow up, live and work
It's your chance to have your say on the county council's future plans on transport - ahead of them setting out their priorities for the next 15 years.
That includes the hope to reopen the railway between Tavistock and Plymouth - as well as new stations at Okehampton Interchange on the Dartmoor Line.
The local authority says transport plays a vital role in helping make the county place to grow up, live and work - with the vision being to ensure there's well-integrated and accessible networks which help to facilitate sustainable growth, support net zero carbon targets by 2050 at the latest, improve travel choice and benefit people’s health and wellbeing.
A number of priorities are proposed across all areas of Devon and Torbay, and individual strategies have been developed to meet those needs.
This includes:
- Resilience works on the rail line between Dawlish and Teignmouth
- New railway stations at Okehampton Interchange on the Dartmoor Line
- Bringing the case for reopening the railway between Tavistock and Plymouth
- Improving bus priority on key routes in Exeter, including Cowick Street, Exe Bridges, Pinhoe Road and Heavitree Road
- Providing 15-minute bus service frequency from Cranbrook, Crediton, Cullompton and Newton Abbot to Exeter
- Delivering the Dinan Way extension in Exmouth
- Completing planned highway links in Teignbridge including A382 improvements
- A38 pedestrian and cycle bridge and Langage Spine Road to unlock growth at the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport
- Protect and enhancing access to Brixham Harbour
- Expansion and improvement of the multi-use trail network, including completion of the Tarka Trail, delivery of Teign Estuary Trail and Newton Abbot to Torbay cycle route
- Strategic active travel routes to Cranbrook and along the A3052 corridor
'Transport and connectivity plays a vital role' across Devon
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: "We want people to get involved and give us their views on these plans.
"Transport and connectivity plays a vital role in helping make Devon and Torbay a healthier and more prosperous place in which to grow up, live and work. We know that transport has a significant impact on our local environment.
"It is therefore important that we have a Local Transport Plan which aims to keep people and businesses connected while also reducing emissions, improving air quality and enhancing our natural environment. This strategy sets out the ways that our transport network will be improved and extended across the county while also meeting our net zero ambitions.”
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “I’d encourage everyone to take this opportunity to look through the consultation documents and provide their feedback.
"By having your say on the Local Transport Plan and Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan we can then prioritise schemes for investment. It’s important that we have a range of travel options across Devon which can reduce carbon emissions, improve health and support the county’s economy.”
Councillor Adam Billings, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Pride in Place, Transport and Parking, said: “We really want to hear the views of Torbay residents on this important consultation. Supporting our community, businesses and visitors to move about through an effective and efficient transport network is critical to deliver a healthy, happy and prosperous Torbay.
"The Local Transport Plan outlines the steps we will take to give more choice in forms of travel, while also ensuring resilience and safety on the network.
“This strategy will improve transport connectivity and sustainability to, from and within Torbay and Devon, and help deliver the transport infrastructure that is needed for our people and our place.
“A number of priorities are proposed across all areas of Devon and Torbay, including making greater places for people, making travel easier, improving access for pedestrians and cyclists, decarbonisation, unlocking development, and a more reliable and resilient network. All across these areas there are some really important projects in our prime areas such as the Torquay Harbour public realm project, lower emission vehicles and public transport and encouraging more active travel.”
Once the consultations on LTP4 and LCWIP have closed, feedback will be analysed and used to inform the draft documents. The results will also be made available in a consultation report.
It is hoped that the final plans will go before council committees for approval in 2025.
You can check out the consultation on the Devon County Council website.