Transport Infrastructure Plan Delivering Growth to 2030
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Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 November 2014 Transport Infrastructure Plan Delivering Growth to 2030 Novem ber 2014 DRAFT 1 Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 November 2014 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 Intermodal Freight Terminal M5 (Junction 29) to A38/A380 North Devon Link (Portmore to Tiverton) Voss Farm Access to Langage Strategic Rural and Leisure Long Distance Cycle Trail Network 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 November 2014 deliver economic growth. This plan will guide the focus and prioritisation of resources within the Introduction authority and provide longer term clarity on the county's transport infrastructure delivery. There Devon County Council has an important role in will be other schemes related to local planning developing transportation strategies to shape the applications that aren’t included. It is expected that future growth of the county. By working with this document will be updated periodically to district authorities, developers and members of the ensure the strategy is up to date and reflects public it ensures that future development is current policy and funding direction. provided for and managed in a way that takes full account of its social, economic and environmental The approach to funding transport infrastructure needs. has changed substantially over the last couple of years, with the aim of enabling greater local This Infrastructure Plan sets out planned decision making. These changes, along with investment in transport infrastructure across substantially reduced budgets have significant Devon covering the period 2014 to 2030. It implications for the delivery of transport schemes, complements the Local Transport Plan 2011-2026 and this will be discussed in the document. which sets out the transport strategy for the county and the detailed infrastructure delivery plans relating to district council Local Plan Background development. The financial landscape for funding transport The key purpose of this document is to set out infrastructure has changed following a significant planned delivery of infrastructure over the next reduction in the level of flexible funding available sixteen years, concentrating on those schemes that 3 Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 November 2014 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 devolved to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). Policy Context The purpose of the change is to enable decision making on transport schemes to be made at a local The policy context sets the scene for the Transport level with influence from the business community. Infrastructure Plan and has shaped those schemes Local Transport Boards (LTBs) manage this process included within the proposed programme. 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 Devon relevant LEP 1. County Strategic Plan The way in which developer contributions are secured has also altered, moving from individual The Infrastructure plan supports the priorities of negotiation of financial sums through section 106 the authority, as set out in the County Strategic agreements to a Community Infrastructure Levy Plan ( www.devon.gov.uk/bettertogether ). Better (CIL) in some districts. CIL is an agreed fixed rate Together Devon 2014 – 2020 reflects the changing generally applied to new development in a district expectations of Devon’s citizens and communities based on floor area, and rates have not been in the significantly reduced financial landscape for secured at the levels previously envisaged, so there local authorities. The strategic plan sets out how will be less money available for infrastructure Devon will be resilient, healthy, prosperous, well through development. This brings a challenge for connected and safe. Relating to transport, this local authorities in working with districts to ensure involves: that development is supported by investment in Planning for growth and promoting investment the transport system. • in Devon; In order to successfully bid through Growth Deals • Maintaining essential roads and supporting a authorities will need to contribute approximately wide range of travel options; 30% of the scheme cost as match funding. This • Working together to develop and maintain means there will be increased pressure on the cycle paths and public rights of way; and, remaining reduced integrated block funding (also • Maintaining key roads to a safe standard and being used for forward design of schemes). It will promoting cycle ways and footpaths. also place competing demands on CIL and will require local planning authorities to work closely Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan The Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 3 2011 – 2026 (www.devon.gov.uk/ltp3 ) sets out the 1 More detail on LTB membership can be found at transport strategy for the two authorities and aims www.heartofswlep.co.uk/ltb-membership 4 Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 November 2014 to deliver a transport system that meets economic, o Stimulating jobs and growth across the environmental and social challenges. It provides a whole economy to benefit ALL sectors sustainable framework for transport and access to (including tourism, agriculture and food jobs, goods and services people need such as and drink) schools, health centres and shops. Planning ahead is a major focus for the plan, particularly in terms • Capitalising on our Distinctive Assets o of the infrastructure to support future growth. Utilising our distinctive assets to create higher value growth and better jobs Local Plans (transformational opportunities, strengthening research, development District authorities must prepare Local Plans which and innovation, environmental assets) set out planning policies in a local authority area. Plans are reviewed by independent Planning Strategic Inspectors at an examination before documents are adopted. Local Plans in Devon (see relevant Connectivity district websites) are at varying stages of completion, as indicated in the table below. Connecting the county to key markets in London and the rest of the UK is vital to supporting District Local Plan Stage * business growth and investment, and to support Draft : undergoing East Devon the tourism market. The schemes included below examination Exeter Adopted are considered to be strategic connections for Adopted and under Devon. Mid Devon review South Hams and West Adopted and under A30/A303 Devon review Teignbridge Adopted The A30/A303 provides a second strategic route Torridge and North D evon Draft: Pre -submission into the South West. Devon County Council, *November 2014 supported by Somerset County Council has worked with the Highways Agency to help develop Heart of the South West LEP improvement options. Estimated cost: £220m The Heart of the South West LEP Strategic Funding source: Highways Agency / DfT Economic Plan ( www.heartofswlep.co.uk ) sets out the economic priorities for the area. The vision is Exeter St David’s Station to ‘transform the reputation and positioning of our area nationally and globally by 2030’. The St David’s station marks a key arrival point into the document sets out challenges that need to be capital of Devon. The scheme is part of a overcome and priorities for action, and has three masterplan intended to meet growth challenges core interdependent aims: and build on recent improvement works. • Creating the conditions for growth Estimated cost: £10m o Infrastructure and services to underpin Funding source: Network Rail growth (transport infrastructure, broadband and mobile connectivity, Honiton Passing Loop skills infrastructure) • Maximising Productivity and Employment A passing loop on the Waterloo Line alongside 5 Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 November 2014 additional signalling infrastructure would provide North Devon Link Road opportunities for faster trains into London and more frequent trains to Cranbrook, Honiton and The North Devon Link Road is the key strategic link Axminster. The scheme would also provide some between Northern Devon and the M5. resilience in times of extreme weather. Improvements to the route (including Borners Bridge) will ensure it continues to function as a Estimated cost: £20m safe and convenient gateway