1. Will you be implementing a traffic count at the junction of Butts Road?
Yes. A traffic count will be undertaken at the junction of B3183 Fore Street, Whipton Lane and Butts Road.
2. Will the existing vehicle counts also include any vehicles exiting along Rifford Road and Quarry Lane?
No
3. How was funding requested and approved to Co Cars in relation to Co Bikes set up, advertising and relaunching?
Co-Bikes was initially awarded a share of £700,000 from a national Government competition through the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Bike Plus shared electric bike programme and was supported by Devon County Council (DCC) along with other city partners to be piloted within Exeter. The trial scheme was the only 100% electric bike docked hire scheme in the UK at the time and so there was no competition with other bike hire providers.
Subsequent funding that supported expansion of the e-bike network and/or related behaviour change initiatives was secured primarily through bids to central Government for grant funding, including:
- the National Productivity Investment Fund for expansion of bikes and docks,
- Local Sustainable Transport Fund for promotional and behaviour change activities, to support increased active travel,
- and the e-cycle extension fund for expansion of bikes and docks and supporting behaviour change activities.
These bid submissions were approved by the Head of Service for Planning, Transport and Environment and signed off by section 151 officer. The bids were appraised against the criteria for the funds by the DfT and awarded to DCC to deliver the schemes/initiatives, including payment to Co-Bikes for the supply of bikes/docking infrastructure.
The terms of securing the Government grant funding also required match-funding. This was provided by DCC Local Transport Plan capital funds and/or developer contributions secured from development, with the specific purpose to mitigate transport impacts of the related development. Cabinet also approved the overall annual capital programme, which referenced investment secured for the expansion of the electric bike network.
4. Who approved the funding to Co Bikes?
As described above, initially the DfT approved the initial funding provided to Co-Bikes as a Government-funded pilot scheme. DfT also approved subsequent bids for funding submitted by DCC. Once approved, there were further funding approvals necessary for scheme delivery and budget approvals, which were made via the appropriate decision-making committee, i.e. Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee and East Devon Highways Traffic Orders Committee.
5. What methods of analysis of Co Bikes financial viability were used?
In relation to the money received by co-bikes, DCC received details on monthly bike hires across the network to monitor usage. Information of revenue generated by the co-bike network were discussed at meetings between officers and the MD of Co-Cars, which indicated that the operation was proving successful.
6. When was the last payment made in relation to Co Cars operation of Co Bikes?
There was a central government grant funding payment on 20th September 2022.
7. Do you have to demonstrate a reduction in vehicle transport, and an increase in walking, wheeling and cycling before making an experimental traffic order permanent?
DCC does not need to demonstrate that there has been an increase in walking wheeling and cycling to legally make the order. It will need to justify any decision to make the order permanent. There are many justifiable reasons for making the order, including evidence of impacts relating to traffic volumes, walking and cycling volumes, air quality etc.
8. What budget was allocated to advertising the Heavitree and Whipton scheme?
This information is already publicly available on the DCC disclosure log.
9. Did the budget exceed the cost to write to all 6000 households?
Yes.
10. How many business miles have be claimed for the use of personal council vehicles in 2019 to 2023?
2019/20 – 5,780,295
2020/21 – 2,652,954
2021/22 – 3,559,846
2022/23 – 4,498,021
11. How many cycling miles for reimbursement for the use of bicycles have the council paid in 2019 to 2023?
2019/20 – 4,320
2020/21 – 987
2021/22 – 263
2022/23 – 270
12. How do you encourage the use of environmentally friendly travel?
The Travel Devon website shares a range of options for travelling around the County by more sustainable forms of transport and includes a Travel Plan toolkit for businesses.
When there are news stories or sustainable travel initiatives to be promoted, DCC uses a range of methods to cascade via the ConnectMe bulletin (that goes out to c.100,000 people a week); social media channels and press releases that go to the media.
DCC also produces a range of strategies and plans to enable the development of a pipeline of schemes that support reduced reliance on the private car and/or roll out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. These strategies can be used to negotiate for developer contributions and/or secure external Government grant funding (i.e. Active Travel Fund, Bus Service Improvement Plan etc).
There is a wealth of publicly available information on our Devon County Council website.