New project launched to update transport strategy for Exeter
A new project to update the Transport Strategy for Exeter has been launched.
The “Exeter Mobility Plan” will explore the impact of commuting into Exeter and the impact it has on the city.
The standalone project, which is part funded through the EU, will also examine proposals to cope with future growth. Work is already underway to establish detailed evidence of travel behaviour to inform the plan.
The plan will be an update of the Exeter Local Transport Plan Strategy, and is being progressed alongside the emerging Greater Exeter Strategic Plan.
To mark the start of the scheme, representatives from Devon County Council, Network Rail, Stagecoach, Great Western Railway (GWR), Highways England, Exeter Cycle Campaign, Exeter City Futures, Exeter City Council and the Exeter & East Devon Growth Point attended a launch event at County Hall.
These partners will form a stakeholder group which will produce a draft mobility plan by the end of the year. Public consultation will then be held on these draft proposals.
The EU’s InnovaSUMP project involves partners from eight cities from across Europe. It focuses on improving sustainable transport options and safety through a reduction of traffic congestion in order to support a low carbon economy.
Councillor Stuart Barker, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said: “With more and more people travelling to work in Exeter, from an increasing number of places and from further away, we have secured funding to develop a mobility plan for Exeter that will support growth. The emerging Greater Exeter Strategic Plan to 2040 is developing strategic infrastructure plans for the immediate areas and the mobility plan will focus on Exeter, covering the ‘Travel to Work’ area and considering road and rail corridors into the city, also to 2040.
“Devon County Council's support for the roll out of superfast broadband to many of the difficult to reach travel to work areas and other technological advancements in recent years have seen more people working from home. There is much greater and increasing use of the internet for information, advice and shopping so we need to think differently and innovatively about the way people will access their services in the future. We’ve made a positive start to discussions with key stakeholders from the transport industry and we look forward to engaging more widely as the project progresses.”
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Liaison for Exeter, said: “We want to ensure that Exeter’s economy continues to grow but that it is done in a sustainable manner. We’re proud that Exeter will be leading this work alongside eight partner cities in Europe and when proposals have been developed we’ll be looking forward to getting feedback from the public.”
Further information about the Exeter Mobility Plan- InnovaSUMP project is available here.
Find out more about about the Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan here.
Further information about the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan is available from www.gesp.org.uk
