Agenda item

To consider a briefing note in advance of inviting Devon County Council representatives to a subsequent meeting of this Committee.

The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor, Councillor Prowse attended the meeting and spoke on this item having given notice under Standing Order No. 44.

He referred to a number of reports on the subject of congestion by both the City Council and the County Council as well as the Local Transport Plan seeking to develop coherent transport strategies for the City. In spite of these and because of continued growth in car usage, traffic congestion remained a problem in the City. He pointed out that many of the City’s bus lanes were discontinuous and not wide enough to be effective. He also felt that insufficient facilities were provided for people cycling to work. Referring to specific arterial routes into the City which, he suggested, were becoming traffic black spots, he sought Members views and ideas for raising these matters with relevant Devon County Council officers.

The Chair thanked the Lord Mayor for his input, advising that the purpose of the report was for Members to agree on questions to be put to both the County Council’s Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste Management and the Head of Planning and Transport (or their representatives) who were being invited to a meeting of this Committee.

The Principal Project Manager spoke to a presentation setting out the main issues around transport in the City under the following headings:-

Traffic Congestion in Exeter

·         too much traffic and too little road space; and

·         impact on economy.

Travel to work by Exeter residents

·         driving: 47%, walking: 22.9%, bus: 9.2%, cycling: 6.3%, car passenger: 5.3%, train: 2.1% and motorbike: 1.2%

Rail

·         Devon Metro - new stations, better rolling stock and added capacity;

·         rail improvements are popular with the public although trains are often full but improvements are heavily dependent on Government and rail operators and the network does not serve the whole City.

Roads

·         improvements proposed include Bridge Road widening, Tithebarn Lane link, Exhibition Way link (subject to village green litigation) and Alphington Park and Ride (subject to planning permission).

Buses

·         good network so lots of potential but short lead in time for change and congestion itself is an obstacle.

Walk/Cycle

·         28% combined;

·         legacy of cycling demonstration town 2005-11;

·         resistance from other road users; and

·         all the easy sections have been completed but bold solutions needed for the rest.

Smart Solutions

·         electric vehicles - does not address congestion but does reduce pollution;

·         gateway to funding for smart technology; and

·         bid being worked up for money to work up a Smart travel management project for the Rugby World Cup.

Members discussed the problems and it was agreed that, as well as inviting County Council officers to a future meeting, it would be helpful for Mike Watson, Managing Director of Stagecoach as well as representatives of Sustrans and, possibly, other transport providers to attend also. Members raised the following issues for putting to the attendees:-

·         how would a Park and Ride at Alphington attract people out of cars when the bus would be caught in the same congestion on Alphington Road. Could the Park and Ride bus use Tan Lane ?;

·         could and should Water Lane be implemented as a bus only link?;

·         bus lanes generally - could they be made more effective (wider, more continuous) and, if not, are they worthwhile ?;

·         can there be a strategic look at residents’ parking across the City? - a Member referred to problems experienced by commuters parking in Mincinglake, Stoke Hill and Pennsylvania;

·         can Park and Ride be promoted more to reduce parking in residential areas and does Park and Ride have sufficient capacity for this ?;

·         could rail Park and Ride be promoted ?;

·         could vacant sites be used for Park and Change or additional parking for local centres – a Member suggested smaller scale Park and Ride sites in the Pinhoe and Whipton areas, for example, an area of land to the rear of the Beacon Heath shops;

·         could Park and Ride be extended later into the evenings and to additional sites on Sunday ?;

·         could bus fares be reduced as they deter and even prevent people from travelling ?;

·         can the Stagecoach bus timetable to Plymouth, especially on Saturdays, be reviewed ?;

·         what more could be done to improve facilities for cyclists and pedestrians to encourage travel by these modes ?; and

·         what are the preparations for the Rugby World Cup ?

With regard to the last point, the Principal Project Manager explained that a Transport Group was meeting regularly comprising representatives of the City and County Councils, Exeter Chiefs, England Rugby, transport operators and emergency services and they were considering all transport issues. He also agreed to enquire about the prospect of using the suggested vacant land at Beacon Heath for local parking.