Planning
Planning additional information
Working for Devon County Council
The Benefits of Working for Devon County Council
Working in Transportation Planning
At the heart of Devon - a county of over 750,000 people – lies the economically dynamic city of Exeter, which has major developments planned in the sub-region, including an expanding airport, a new community, a science park, an inter-modal freight terminal and a regionally significant employment park. The county also has 28 market and coastal towns which form important centres of local life – all relying on an expansive and high-performing infrastructure. No small challenge when you consider we are the third largest authority in the country, with 12,800 km of roads (the largest single network in the country), 4,960km of public rights of way and 3,500 bridges alone.
Devon County Council has been designated by the Government as a Centre of Excellence for local transport delivery. This is significant, not only for our Local Transport Plan, but also for the delivery of regional funding allocation for planned infrastructure, needed to deliver both housing and economic development.
Working for Devon County Council
In these important roles within Devon County Council, we believe that excellent public services can only be delivered by skilled, committed people, who are, in turn, supported every step of the way. Our aims are to:
- Recruit and retain a high quality workforce.
- Develop our staff and inspire them to achieve high levels of performance.
- Make sure we have the right staff in the right place to meet the needs of our communities.
By providing a vast array of services to the whole of Devon, our people have got us to where we are today. Therefore, we know the importance of valuing and developing their skills, working within a safe, secure and friendly environment.
The Benefits of Working for Devon County Council
In these high profile roles, you’ll have the opportunity to influence county policy (at a senior level), enjoying exceptional personal and career development.
In addition to a competitive salary, you can also expect:
- Up to 28 days’ leave April to March (up to four days may be carried over from one year to the next, taken before 31st August) plus public holidays.
- Two extra statutory days’ leave and an additional day scheduled within the Christmas break.
- Local government, final salary pension scheme.
- Flexi-time scheme and commitment to flexible working.
- Childcare voucher scheme.
- Discounts at a range of local organisations including gym membership.
Surrounded by beauty, and with a uniquely varied landscape – including two coastlines, two national parks and two World Heritage sites – Devon boasts one of the biggest transport networks in the UK. Which means, as a transportation professional, there really is no better place to get your career on the move. From the peace and quiet of our stunning rural areas to the thriving, cosmopolitan atmosphere of Exeter, Devon is a place of true variety. Which is why we also offer a wide selection of ways to travel. From 8,012 miles of road (more than any other county in the UK) to 4,960km of public rights of way.
From roads and railways to bus and cycle paths, we’re working to improve our current transport systems, against a backdrop of becoming England’s greenest county. Devon is achieving the right balance between cars and people, by minimising traffic in the urban areas and giving space back to pedestrians. The Local Transport Plan (2006 to 2011) sets out to meet everyone's travel needs, while making roads safer and providing alternatives to using a car.
We have summed up this vision in our overarching aim:
"To conserve and enhance the environment, economy and infrastructure of the County, thereby contributing to the County Council's primary purpose of improving the quality of life and wellbeing of the people and communities of Devon."
Working in Transportation Planning
Joining the Transportation team in Devon will be a uniquely rewarding and challenging journey in itself, as you use your expertise and fresh thinking to plan innovative ways of getting our people from A to B, whilst preserving Devon’s beautiful surroundings. With 41,000 new jobs and 55,000 new dwellings identified in the Exeter area alone by 2026, building the infrastructure which will support the future needs of Devon will be no small undertaking.
Some key elements of our planned programme include:
- Major scheme bids, of which there are currently four being developed, with a capital value of over £250m, including bus systems and major road proposals.
- Developing the next Local Transport Plan which will exceed expectations in the delivery of a higher quality, greener transport infrastructure.
- Developing integrated transport plans and innovative funding mechanisms within Local Development Frameworks.
- Ensuring National connectivity by liaising with national and regional bodies to stimulate positive change through road, rail, air and even shipping enhancements.
Whether designing strategies to reduce traffic congestion and pollution or improving road safety and traffic systems, you’ll champion innovative thinking. This will mean forging strong and productive relationships with government agencies, members, consultants and District Councils, as you collaborate to produce cutting-edge designs and effective solutions which really push the boundaries across an ambitious growth agenda.
Some of our roles also fall within our forward-thinking, structured Career Progression Scheme, designed to develop leaders and managers of the future. Giving you an accessible way to track and plan your path through the Council it gives you the support, encouragement and resources to really fulfil your potential.
Our past, current, future and long-term ongoing projects are many and varied. We’ve selected just a few to give you a glimpse at the exciting possibilities for our County and your career.
Major improvements in Exeter City Centre
The main economic, administrative and commercial centre of Devon, Exeter provides industry links and services to the 119,600 people living there. A £3.65 million improvement project (funded by both Devon County and Exeter City Councils), brought together an outstanding wealth of expertise – from engineers, developers and landscape architects to planners, urban designers, architects and city centre management, as well as an environmental artist. Completed in September 2007, with over 8,724m² of new paving, 2,592m of new kerbs, 22 trees, 53 benches, six new bus shelters and 12 new cycle racks, it has helped transformed this thriving city.
Town planning in Barnstaple
The £42million Barnstaple Western Bypass scheme opened in May 2007, dramatically reducing traffic movement within the town. As a result, Devon County Council has changed the traffic priorities of The Square, permanently reducing the conflict of cars, buses, pedestrians and cyclists in the area. In this way, Barnstaple has regained its vital town centre venue, to host public and social events for the 10,000 pedestrians passing through it everyday. The scheme has also significantly improved the area for walkers and cyclists alike – as well as providing a wonderful meeting place.
We have also now identified that Barnstaple will need to accommodate significant growth over the next 20 years, with the number of dwellings set to increase by over 70%. Limiting the traffic impact of this will be an incredibly important challenge which we will be working to face. In addition, there are several projects including the relocation of North Devon College and three major retail developments, which will require significant planning and expertise to ensure their accessibility, sustainability and ultimately, their success.
Proposals and consultation in Tavistock
Set to house significant development in the next 20 years, we face a challenge in the transport team of working out how to accommodate the predicted growth in housing and employment successfully. Working closely with West Devon Borough Council, plans have been provided for an urban extension in the southwest of the town, which will include a new railway station, improved pedestrian and cycle links as well as possibly a new park and ride service and highway improvements. This process has included very interesting consultations including the chance for the public to comment on the proposed changes so that the best solutions can be found for all.
Unusual challenges in Newton Abbot
Designated as a town for large future growth, this area has been a major focus for preparing funding bids, suggesting significant infrastructure changes, to the Regional Assembly and Government. Newton Abbot is also home to a high profile proposed cycle route (which has funding from Sustrans and the National Lottery 07), joining it with nearby Kingsteighton. Major co-ordination from our transport planning team has been necessary to meet the challenges of this exciting new route, which will cross several rivers and a railway line.
Travel Tallies
2008 saw the launch of Barnstaple, Newton Abbot and Totnes ‘Travel to work Tallies’. Our transport team organised these surveys, which monitored the types of transport used by people working in the towns. This provided a vital part of the evidence for developing a joined up transport strategy. This survey process will take place annually (the Exeter Travel Tally is now in its third year), to keep an eye on how transport choices are changing, so that in time it is possible to identify trends which can, in turn, inform future improvements.
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