Transport Infrastructure Plan Delivering Growth to 2030
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Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 March 2017 Transport Infrastructure Plan Deli vering Growth to 2030 March 2017 1 Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 March 2017 Contents Introduction 3 Background 3 Policy Context 4 Devon Heart of the South West LEP Strategic Connectivity 5 A30/A303 Exeter St David’s Station Honiton Passing Loop Rail Resilience Improvements M5 (Junction 29) to A38/A380 North Devon Link (Portmore to Tiverton) Infrastructure by Area 7 Exeter and East Devon Growth Point Barnstaple and Bideford Area Newton Abbot Area Plymouth Area Tiverton and Cullompton Area Rest of County 2 Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 March 2017 economic growth. This plan will guide the focus Introduction and prioritisation of resources within the authority and provide longer term clarity on the county's Devon County Council has an important role in transport infrastructure delivery. There will be developing transportation strategies to shape the other schemes related to local planning future growth of the county. By working with applications that aren’t included. It is expected that district authorities, developers and members of the this document will be updated periodically to public it ensures that future development is ensure the strategy is up to date and reflects provided for and managed in a way that takes full current policy and funding direction. account of its social, economic and environmental needs. The approach to funding transport infrastructure has changed substantially over the last couple of This Infrastructure Plan sets out planned years, with the aim of enabling greater local investment in transport infrastructure across decision making. These changes, along with Devon covering the period 2014 to 2030. It substantially reduced budgets have significant complements the Local Transport Plan 2011-2026 implications for the delivery of transport schemes, which sets out the transport strategy for the and this will be discussed in the document. county and the detailed infrastructure delivery plans relating to district council Local Plan development. Background The key purpose of this document is to set out The financial landscape for funding transport planned delivery of infrastructure to 2030, infrastructure has changed following a significant concentrating on those schemes that deliver reduction in the level of flexible funding available 3 Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 March 2017 to local authorities. The Local Transport Plan with the county to identify when and where match Integrated Block has been almost halved to help funding is needed. fund Growth Deals, which is the Government’s new process of funding infrastructure across the These elements contribute to a difficult financial country. Indications from the DfT suggest that all landscape regarding delivery of new transport non-maintenance capital funding will for the infrastructure. The authority will need to look foreseeable future be delivered through this ahead, preparing schemes despite uncertainties in process. The figure on the previous page shows the order to ensure new or enhanced transport change in Devon County Council Capital Funding infrastructure continues to be delivered across the sources for local transport. Responsibility for county. allocating funds through Growth Deals for major transport and pinch point schemes has been New funding initiatives and opportunities are likely devolved to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). to be created by changes in Government policy in The purpose of the change is to enable decision the period to 2030. In order to be responsive to making on transport schemes to be made at a local these changes, the Transport Infrastructure Plan level with influence from the business community. will be a ‘living document’ and will be updated Local Transport Boards (LTBs) manage this process periodically. on behalf of LEPs, and local authorities are required to present potential schemes to the board and bid for a share of the money allocated to the Policy Context 1 relevant LEP . The policy context sets the scene for the Transport The way in which developer contributions are Infrastructure Plan and has shaped those schemes secured has also altered, moving from individual included within the proposed programme. negotiation of financial sums through section 106 agreements to a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) in some districts. CIL is an agreed fixed rate Devon generally applied to new development in a district based on floor area, and rates have not been County Strategic Plan secured at the levels previously envisaged, so there will be less money available for infrastructure The Infrastructure plan supports the priorities of through development. This brings a challenge for the authority, as set out in the County Strategic local authorities in working with districts to ensure Plan (www.devon.gov.uk/bettertogether). Better that development is supported by investment in Together Devon 2014 – 2020 reflects the changing the transport system. expectations of Devon’s citizens and communities in the significantly reduced financial landscape for In order to successfully bid through Growth Deals local authorities. The strategic plan sets out how authorities will need to contribute approximately Devon will be resilient, healthy, prosperous, well 30% of the scheme cost as match funding. This connected and safe. Relating to transport, this means there will be increased pressure on the involves: remaining reduced integrated block funding (also Planning for growth and promoting investment being used for forward design of schemes). It will in Devon; also place competing demands on CIL and will Maintaining essential roads and supporting a require local planning authorities to work closely wide range of travel options; Working together to develop and maintain cycle paths and public rights of way; and, 1 More detail on LTB membership can be found at www.heartofswlep.co.uk/ltb-membership 4 Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 March 2017 Maintaining key roads to a safe standard and Heart of the South West LEP promoting cycle ways and footpaths. The Heart of the South West LEP Strategic Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan Economic Plan (www.heartofswlep.co.uk) sets out the economic priorities for the area. The vision is The Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 3 2011 to ‘transform the reputation and positioning of our – 2026 (www.devon.gov.uk/ltp3) sets out the area nationally and globally by 2030’. The transport strategy for the two authorities and aims document sets out challenges that need to be to deliver a transport system that meets economic, overcome and priorities for action, and has three environmental and social challenges. It provides a core interdependent aims: sustainable framework for transport and access to jobs, goods and services people need such as Creating the conditions for growth schools, health centres and shops. Planning ahead - Infrastructure and services to underpin is a major focus for the plan, particularly in terms growth (transport infrastructure, of the infrastructure to support future growth. broadband and mobile connectivity, skills infrastructure) Local Plans Maximising Productivity and Employment District authorities must prepare Local Plans which - Stimulating jobs and growth across the set out planning policies in a local authority area. whole economy to benefit ALL sectors (including tourism, agriculture and food and Plans are reviewed by independent Planning drink) Inspectors at an examination before documents are adopted. Local Plans in Devon (see relevant Capitalising on our Distinctive Assets - Utilising our distinctive assets to create district websites) are at varying stages of higher value growth and better jobs completion, as indicated in the table below. (transformational opportunities, District Local Plan Stage* strengthening research, development and East Devon Adopted innovation, environmental assets) Exeter Adopted Adopted and under Mid Devon review Strategic Connectivity South Hams and West Adopted and under Devon review Connecting the county to key markets in London Teignbridge Adopted and the rest of the UK is vital to supporting Submitted to Secretary of Torridge and North Devon business growth and investment, and to support State the tourism market. The schemes included below *March 2017 are considered to be strategic connections for Devon. Work is progressing on the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan comprising Exeter City Council, East Devon A30/A303 District Council, Teignbridge District Council and Mid Devon District Council. Similarly, there is Joint The A30/A303 provides a second strategic route Local Plan in production, covering Plymouth City into the South West. Devon County Council, Council, South Hams District Council and West supported by Somerset County Council has worked Devon Borough Council. with the Highways Agency to help develop improvement options. 5 Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 March 2017 Exeter St David’s Station M5 (Junction 29) to A38/A380 St David’s station marks a key arrival point into the Highway improvements to facilitate growth and capital of Devon. The scheme is part of a prevent bottlenecks, including junction schemes masterplan intended to meet growth challenges and managed motorway. and build on recent improvement works. North Devon Link Road Honiton Passing Loop The North Devon Link Road is the key strategic link A