Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 Schemes

Proposed routes largely mirror the proposed Exeter Strategic Cycle Network. Focus is given to ensuring some facility is provided to locations where staff are least likely to be able to work from home, such as the hospital, Sowton, and Marsh Barton.

Exeter Strategic Cycle Network (E9) Newcourt/Pynes Hill to City Centre

Type: Pop-up cycleway (including point closures, one-way route with contraflow, widened footways)

Description: Creation of pop up cycleway connecting over 50,000 jobs at City Centre, County Hall, Hospital, Pynes Hill and Sowton. 4km quiet route created by removing through traffic on a number of streets.

Exeter Strategic Cycle Network (E3) Whipton /Heavitree to City Centre

Type: Pop-up cycleway (including point closures and suspension of one-way restrictions for cyclists)

Description: Traffic calming measures along the E3 cycle route linking Heavitree and Whipton to the City Centre. The route passes close to four primary schools, a secondary school as well as local parks.

City centre – improved cycle access

Type: Contraflow cycle lane and pop-up cycle parking

Description: A contraflow cycle lane is proposed for South Street to improve cycle access to the city centre for cyclists approaching from Topsham Road and the Quay. Additional cycle parking will also be provided in South Street and Sidwell Street.

Temporary crossings

Type: Temporary crossings

Description: The provision of three temporary crossings, allowing residents to safely cross highways. The crossings are located on the East-West Shared Use Path at Exeter Road, Jetty Marsh Road and Ashburton Road. There are aspirations for these to be permanent crossings under Phase 3 of the Newton Abbot East-West Shared Use Path scheme. This will encourage sustainable travel on a safe, convenient and direct route between residential areas, education, transport hubs, employment sites and the town centre.

Extended Barnstaple town centre pedestrianisation

Type: Pedestrianisation

Description: Temporary restrictions to extend the current town centre pedestrianised area. This will provide additional road space within the core retail streets and enable the District and Town Councils to implement social distancing measures. The extended pedestrianised area will support improved cycling links into the town centre and will incorporate additional pop-up cycle parking facilities. Existing public transport routes through the town will be maintained. Please follow the link below for a detailed plan of these pedestrianised area extensions.

Plan of extended pedestrianised areas

To provide a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists travelling into the town centre, consideration has also been given to introducing temporary traffic restrictions on the A3125 Longbridge. A proposal to prohibit motor vehicle access onto the Longbridge, except for buses and emergency vehicles, was identified. However, following consideration of all feedback this proposal is no longer being progressed.

Bideford town centre

 Type: Pedestrian improvements (parking removal, point closures, crossings and one way system)

Description: Temporary restrictions and pedestrian facilities to support social distancing measures on core town centre streets. The District and Town Councils will be implementing a system of one-way pedestrian movement along narrow pavements and streets within the town centre. To support this, temporary restrictions will be required to remove elements of on-street parking in the High Street and close the road through Manor Park in order to provide space for pedestrians, space for pop-up cycle parking and space for bus passengers to wait safely. A one-way system for pedestrians will incorporate the Longbridge footpaths and a temporary pedestrian crossing facility on the A386 will be required to support this.

In May/June Devon County Council invited communities to come forward with proposals encouraging active travel that the County Council could help to facilitate. Schemes would be 50% match funded by the community, with funds in the order £2,000 provided for the hire of equipment. Ideas and proposals were to be shared with the Town and Parish Councils in the first instance before an application form was returned to roadclosures@devon.gov.uk. All ideas needed to be received by Devon County Council no later than 19 June 2020.

Tranche 1 allocation

Following the application period a detailed process of sifting was undertaken. In total, 101 applications were received and assessed to determine if they:

• meet the criteria for the fund as set out by the Department for Transport
• can be started within 4 weeks
• can be completed within 8 weeks
• can be 50% funded by the communities
• can be installed/maintained by the communities (where applicable)
• are technically deliverable and provide a benefit to the community.

Of the schemes received by 19th June, 11 met the criteria above and were approved. These are set out in the table below:

A full list of the schemes submitted to Devon County Council for consideration under the Emergency Active Travel Fund can be found here: Full list of submitted schemes

Doctor surgeries, dental practices and health centres

We have received a number of requests from doctor’s surgeries, dental practices and health centres for support for restricted parking to manage patients with Covid-19 symptoms. These will be considered on a case by case basis, and health centres should complete this online form to put forward any requests.

We understand that these facilities need to be set up quickly, therefore we are currently promoting “advisory” interventions. Once our team has agreed to a suitable location for patient parking at your practice / centre we will provide a template notice for you to print and display, we will also advise you on sourcing and placing traffic cones.