From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, November 28, 2007

DEVON County Council has been allocated more than £109 million from the Government to improve local transport provision in Devon between 2008 and 2011.

The settlement comes as a direct result of the revised scoring of the Devon Local Transport Plan 2006-2011, which has been upgraded from 'Fair' to 'Good' by the Department for Transport, and due to a new funding formula for setting highway maintenance. The new formula has resulted in a much needed additional £10.5 million for highway maintenance schemes across the county over the next three years.

Whilst the funding increase will assist efforts to arrest the deterioration in the classified and non classified road network, there is growing concern about rates of inflation in the construction industry.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "The increased maintenance funding goes some way towards what we have been lobbying for. However, we must continue to press for more if we are to tackle the backlog head on."

Edward Chorlton, Devon County Council's Director of Environment, Economy and Culture, said: "I am pleased to hear that Devon County Council has the stability of knowing what funding will be received in future years for local transport improvements. We must now build on our recent successes and ensure that the Devon Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 is delivered to and above the expectations of the people of Devon".

The Devon Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 outlines the policies and programmes for local transport and the stability of a three year settlement will improve allocation of resources. The Plan focuses on the priorities identified both nationally and locally.

Key achievements of the Devon Local Transport Plan in 2006/07 included:

• Tackling congestion - 3.5 million more bus passenger journeys than in 2005/06;
• Improving accessibility - launching the Torridge Accessibility Action Plan to make it easier for people in rural areas to access essential services and town centres;
• Making roads safer - 18 fewer children killed or seriously injured on the highway network than in 2005/06;
• Improving air quality - stabilising morning peak traffic levels in Exeter;
• Improving opportunities for sustainable recreation, leisure and tourism - 93.5% of Public Rights of Way in Devon are now defined as 'easy to use' by the Government's national performance indicator;
• Promoting health and well being - cycling levels across the county up 9% on 2005/06
• Improving public spaces - improvements in Exeter city centre and Northumberland Place in Teignmouth.

The schemes and initiatives planned between 2008 and 2011 include innovative approaches to improve access to town centres from rural areas, increasing travel awareness and encouraging sustainable travel. There are also major scheme proposals for improving transport links in and around Exeter as well as the development of the Kingskerswell Bypass.

The Department for Transport has also announced a further £8.279 million over the three years to improve road safety across Devon and to upgrade former trunk roads such as the A361 and A39.

Notes for Editors:

Councillor Margaret Rogers 01297 680384.