Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 March 2015 Transport Infrastructure Plan Delivering Growth to 2030 March 2015 1 Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 March 2015 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 March 2015 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 March 2015 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 being used for forward design of schemes). It will Planning for growth and promoting investment also place competing demands on CIL and will in Devon; require local planning authorities to work closely Maintaining essential roads and supporting a 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 2015 Maintaining key roads to a safe standard and overcome and priorities for action, and has three promoting cycle ways and footpaths. core interdependent aims: Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan Creating the conditions for growth o Infrastructure and services to underpin The Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 3 2011 growth (transport infrastructure, – 2026 (www.devon.gov.uk/ltp3) sets out the broadband and mobile connectivity, transport strategy for the two authorities and aims skills infrastructure) to deliver a transport system that meets economic, Maximising Productivity and Employment environmental and social challenges. It provides a o Stimulating jobs and growth across the sustainable framework for transport and access to whole economy to benefit ALL sectors jobs, goods and services people need such as (including tourism, agriculture and food schools, health centres and shops. Planning ahead and drink) is a major focus for the plan, particularly in terms of the infrastructure to support future growth. Capitalising on our Distinctive Assets o Utilising our distinctive assets to create Local Plans higher value growth and better jobs (transformational opportunities, District authorities must prepare Local Plans which strengthening research, development set out planning policies in a local authority area. and innovation, environmental assets) Plans are reviewed by independent Planning Inspectors at an examination before documents Strategic are adopted. Local Plans in Devon (see relevant district websites) are at varying stages of Connectivity completion, as indicated in the table below. District Local Plan Stage* Connecting the county to key markets in London Draft: undergoing and the rest of the UK is vital to supporting East Devon examination business growth and investment, and to support Exeter Adopted the tourism market. The schemes included below Adopted and under are considered to be strategic connections for Mid Devon review Devon. South Hams and West Adopted and under Devon review A30/A303 Teignbridge Adopted Torridge and North Devon Draft: Pre-submission The A30/A303 provides a second strategic route *November 2014 into the South West. Devon County Council, supported by Somerset County Council has worked Heart of the South West LEP with the Highways Agency to help develop improvement options. The Heart of the South West LEP Strategic Economic Plan (www.heartofswlep.co.uk) sets out Estimated cost: £220m the economic priorities for the area. The vision is Funding source: Highways Agency / DfT to ‘transform the reputation and positioning of our area nationally and globally by 2030’. The document sets out challenges that need to be 5 Transport Infrastructure Plan: Delivering Growth to 2030 March 2015 compatible with key rail freight market movements. Exeter St David’s Station Estimated cost: £10m St David’s station marks a key arrival point into the Funding source: Grant capital of Devon. The scheme is part of a masterplan intended to meet growth challenges M5 (Junction 29) to A38/A380 and build on recent improvement works. Highway improvements to facilitate growth and Estimated cost: £10m prevent bottlenecks, including junction schemes Funding source: Network Rail and managed motorway. Honiton Passing Loop Estimated cost: £50m Funding source: Highways Agency / DfT A passing loop