Devon County Council

devon.gov.uk

From Michaila Hill, Exeter 382535, October 10,2008

Findings suggesting Exeter is the worst congested city outside of London have been misinterpreted, said Devon County Council.

The research, carried out by leading traffic information specialists keepmoving.co.uk, is based on an analysis of reported traffic congestion for the whole of the UK over a 5 year period. This information was used to produce a congestion ranking score for Exeter.

But Bryn Mills from Keepmoving.co.uk which conducted the research says:

"Exeter City Council's boundary includes a very busy section of the M5, which will have added greatly to the overall measure of congestion within the local authority area rather than the city of Exeter itself.

"The purpose of the research was to measure and rank congestion within political boundaries, such as parliamentary constituencies and local authority areas.

"Exeter City Council's political boundary covers a small area tightly centred on the urban area of Exeter itself, and this has had the effect of producing for it a much higher congestion score than is the case for local authorities whose boundaries include both urban and rural areas.

"The congestion levels within urban areas themselves cannot be directly compared using the survey data, without taking the effects of these boundary differences into account. Nonetheless, our findings do show that the city of Exeter does experience a higher than average level of traffic congestion."

Edward Chorlton, Executive Director of Environment, Economy Culture for Devon County Council said; "As Keepmoving.co.uk has said these findings do not represent how the traffic currently flows across the whole of the Exeter area. Over the past five years there has been road works involving the Canal Bridges and at junction29 and 30 of the M5 and both of these will have adversely affected the data and do not give a true picture of the city as it is today.

"In fact over the last twelve months traffic in Exeter on the main routes has reduced by around 5 per cent and at the same time bus, rail, park and ride and cycling use is growing. More people are car sharing.

"Exeter is a rapidly growing and thriving city with major financial investment, both by the public and private sectors over recent years. It is unwise to portray the city as grinding to a halt, when we are working hard to encourage further investment."

The County has a major programme of traffic schemes, including the £17million East of Exeter improvements around Junction 29 and 30 of the M5 as well as the Exeter Package scheme costing £35million, which will see further improvements to key routes in the city including Alphington Road and the Bridge Road Topsham Road corridor. There will be improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and car users and congestion will be improved across the city centre. There is also a significant bid being prepared to provide a high quality public transport route which is designed to result in a significant improvement to public transport in Exeter.

Notes to editors

Edward Chorlton of Devon County Council is available on 01392 382535

Mary Vingoe at the keepmoving.co.uk Press Office is available on 0161 927 3608

• Leader of the Council - Cllr Brian Greenslade
• Chief Executive -- Phil Norrey

• Budget £800 million
• Key investments include:
• Schools £349 million
• Adult and Community Services £164 million
• Environment, Economy and Culture £106 million
• Children and Young People £101 million

• Other important County Council support includes:
• Building programme: £185 million for new schools, roads, care services, libraries and recycling centres

• Political make-up:
• County Council seats: 62
• 33 Liberal Democrat
• 23 Conservative
• 4 Labour
• 2 Independent
• Next County Council elections: May 7, 2009

• Key stats:
• Population: 741,000
• Schools: 365
• Pupils: 96,200
• Children looked after: 584
• Adults helped to live at home: 17,622
• Residential and nursing care: 4,212 adults
• Libraries and Mobile Libraries: 61
• Roads: 12,831 kms (7,973 miles)
• Bridges: 3,500
• Public Rights of Way: 4,960 kms (3,200 miles)
• Streetlights: 71,000
• Illuminated road signs: 10,917
• Recycling Centres: 20
• Recycling rate: 49.21%

Figures may be subject to change

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