'We can't build new housing estates and not provide bus links'
Residents in parts of Exeter have expressed their frustration with the lack of planned new bus services - as major roadworks begin as a result of the thousands of new homes
Last updated 27th Sep 2024
There's calls for lessons to be learnt after plans for 2,500 new homes on the edge of Exeter failed to include buses from the offset.
Stagecoach South West have told us they'll only be able to provide some there when it's commercially viable - and more people move in.
It comes as the new Labour Government is looking to increase housebuilding ,with local lib Dem councillor Alan Connett calling for a review of the situation.
He said: "People are moving into a brand new development and residents are saying 'well, when will the buses start?'
"Devon County Council as the highways and transport authority failed to ask for any funding from a developer to subsidise an initial bus service.
"This isn't rocket science, what it requires is Devon and the districts, in this case Teignbridge, to work closer together and realise when you're building 2,500 houses people will need a bus service to get them around.
"It will come in time but there have been other developments where money was asked for buses and it was able to start early on."
A spokesperson for Stagecoach South West said “We are in discussions with the local transport authority and housing developers to provide bus services to the new developments on the edge of Exeter at the earliest opportunity.
"At present there isn’t a viable route that can be followed so we await updates on the road and bus stop infrastructure around these developments.”
A Devon County Council spokesperson said: “Our current budget for subsidising public transport is fixed with no capacity to expand the existing bus network. We will continue to look for opportunities working with local bus operators, but we would need external funding to support any new bus services.”
It comes as major roadworks begin next month to accommodate all the new homes. Details can be found here