South West headquartered transport business Gregory Distribution Limited (GDL) has opened a Heritage Centre complete with restored trucks used by the business over three generations to celebrate its centenary.
The centre at GDL’s Cullompton depot in Devon was opened this week by 94 year-old Jack Gregory who joined the business in 1947 and ran it until 1985. He was accompanied by his son and current Chief Executive John Gregory, other senior management, those involved in the Heritage project and some long-serving employees.
The new centre features four heritage vehicles in...
It’s sometimes very difficult not to be cynical about our restricted democracy when we see politicians buying people’s votes and promising them illusions that will never become real.
This is happening once again in the Chancellor’s recent announcement of a further £30bn road programme that will lead us to a better future, a message that is chronically sent out to placate car drivers as they face ever increasing delays, congestion collisions and poor air quality.
Since the 1960s governments of all colours have been saying if only we could have more motorways, by-passes and...
Travel Devon has joined forces with IKEA to help workers at its new Exeter superstore commute to work in a more sustainable and healthy way.
IKEA Exeter opened in the beginning of May and Travel Devon, Devon County Council’s travel advice service, is giving the store’s workers the tools to make informed choices on travelling in a sustainable way. IKEA is the latest company to take advantage of Travel Devon’s expertise, who have advised staff on sustainable methods of transport including car sharing, cycle and walking routes and train services. Workplaces in Barnstaple, Exeter and...
A project to update the transport strategy for Exeter has been examining the main findings from its initial work over the last six months.
The Exeter Mobility Plan recently held its second stakeholder event to explore its data which has highlighted that the majority of Exeter residents do not drive to work and, encouragingly, 55% of trips of less than 5km in Exeter are made either by walking, cycling or by bus. However, this is behind some other UK cities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, where the figure is 75%. Travel to Sowton is particularly dominated by car use, with city...
City commuters could play a pivotal role in helping curb traffic congestion in and around Exeter, thanks to a pioneering initiative.
Researchers from the University of Exeter are seeking volunteers to be the driving force behind the latest scheme to try and encourage people to leave their vehicles at home and use sustainable transport.
The research team, from the University’s Geography department, are looking for helpers to take part in a four-week trial, which runs from September 11-October 6.
During the trial, the successful applicants will receive a message via...
Awards have been presented to 10 proud Community Transport volunteers and staff members from across the county at a special ceremony.
Devon County Council marked the 18th anniversary of its annual Community Transport Awards at County Hall last Thursday night (15 June).
The awards, sponsored by local printers Pollards, with coachbuilders GM Coachwork Group sponsoring the prizes for the awards, aim to recognise outstanding contributions to community transport in Devon.
The 10 winners were chosen from more than 50 nominations.
Britain has no transport policy and nowhere more is this obvious than in Exeter. Our country has stop-start history of short-sightedness which has left us in the present mess, and which will need brave political decisions to address. Recent traffic congestion in and around the city is a symptom of this malaise, so where is the leadership needed to take us in a different direction?!
In short, we have adopted American-style poor planning practices in a country which is small, overcrowded and polluted. We have encouraged huge developments which depend on car access and road-based...
Members of Exeter City Council’s Leisure Complex and Bus Station Programme Board have voted unanimously in favour of proceeding with interim bus station arrangements in the city centre.
The decision comes after two additional information events took place in Southernhay and Sidwell Street to display plans and take on board feedback on the temporary measures.
The other option of using the Triangle Car Park was not progressed after taking on board the views of local residents and businesses.
Subject to Devon County Council approval, a temporary traffic solution will...
A record number of nominations were received for this year’s Devon Community Transport Awards and the winners were announced at a special ceremony on Thursday 26 May.
More than 80 nominations were received for this year’s awards, which are now in their 17th year and aim to recognise outstanding contributions to community transport in Devon.
The Devon Community Transport Awards, sponsored by the GM Coachwork Group, who specialise in wheelchair access vehicles and vehicle adaptations, honoured 10 proud recipients at the celebration event at County Hall.
An Exeter-based motor vehicle firm is launching pioneering new technology to the consumer market which could reduce road traffic accidents by up to 60%.
Lightfoot is a driver improvement system originally developed to help businesses cut fuel costs and CO2 emissions but is already helping fleets cut their accident rates.
The Lightfoot team have now held talks with Exeter City Council, and the Exeter City Futures team is considering how to use the technology in some of the Council’s fleet vehicles.
The technology was developed by Lightfoot Managing Director Mark...