Reasons for this scheme
- One of the Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP) schemes in North Devon.
- Improved traffic lights for bus lane and extended bus lane – improved bus experience.
- No negative changes to general traffic carriageway – no negative impact on general traffic.
- Improved crossing facilities – improved pedestrian and cyclist experience.
Securing Government funding is extremely difficult when the bidding process is so competitive. Out of 6 schemes that have been progressing for the last few years, 3 of those are in Exeter, 1 is in Newton Abbot and 2 are in North Devon. Securing funding for improving public transport experience is a scarce and positive result.
Background to the scheme
Devon County Council (DCC) is planning to extend the existing bus lane on Braunton Road (Barnstaple).
To improve bus journey times, the bus lane will be separated from general traffic opposite Pilland Way removing the need for buses and taxis to stop at the traffic lights. There will be no significant changes to the road layout for general traffic.
Continuing towards Barnstaple, at the A361 junction, it is proposed that the bus lane will continue through the traffic lights. The bus will only have to stop for pedestrians and cyclists crossing.
No changes will be made to the outbound lane heading towards Braunton and there will still be two lanes coming off the new bridge and turning right into Barnstaple with space to merge.
By promoting priority for buses and taxis to avoid queuing traffic, the scheme aims to reduce bus journey times on services from Braunton towards Barnstaple and improve their reliability, therefore improving the experience for passengers and encouraging greater use of public transport services.
The public engagement report was published in July 2023 on the website: https://www.devon.cc/northdevonbsips
Cabinet members approved the construction of the scheme in July 2024, (see Cabinet report), at an estimated cost of £939,000.
The scheme plans below show the changes proposed at the Pilland Way and A361 junctions.
Traffic management
The road permit for the construction of the scheme is currently booked from September 2024 to June 2025. The current assumption is that the work could be carried out from December 2024.
Construction is anticipated to last 16 weeks and will mostly be carried out only by closing the existing bus lane.
Specially linked temporary signals will be operated with the same timings as the current signals to enable alterations to be made to construct the improved pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities along with the extended bus lane. There is expected to be very little impact to daytime traffic.
There will be some overnight closures (7pm to 7am) towards the end of the works to complete the surfacing work. During this time a diversion route will be in place.
The majority of work will be carried out during the daytime, as work will take place very close to the residential areas of both Braunton Road and Chaddiford Lane.
Funding of the scheme
Funding has been secured from the Government for Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) for capital schemes, which cannot be used for other things, as well as funding from the Local Transport Plan.
Contact
For further information please contact transportplanning-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
FAQs
- Why are we doing these works?
The main aims of BSIP schemes are to:
- Grow bus patronage
- Facilitate an increase in bus provision across the area
- Create a bus network that meets the needs of all potential users
- Create a framework to regularly consult bus users, and use this information to influence bus service provision in the future
- Ensure information regarding bus service is of the highest quality and accessible to all
- Ensure the bus is considered equally alongside other modes of transport
- With aspects of this being achieved by identifying and implementing a significant increase in bus priority, making the bus an attractive alternative to the car
- What’s the benefit of the scheme
Buses currently have to stop at both sets of traffic lights. This scheme separates buses in the bus lane to only have to stop if people are walking or cycling across the crossing.
This not only benefits buses, but also benefits taxis and emergency vehicles who can also use the bus lane.
The scheme encourages people to take the bus as they should experience fewer delays. Wider crossings will also improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
In the upcoming years significant housing development will be built north of Barnstaple which is expected to add more general traffic on the road to Barnstaple. It is expected that in the future, this scheme will encourage people to travel sustainably as infrastructure will be already in place.
- Why do you have to remove the trees?
Five trees will be removed to widen the carriageway to keep the same space for all road users. Ten trees are proposed to be planted as mitigation at a suitable location.
- Why build this when there are few buses on this road?
Currently there are 292 buses that would benefit from the bus lane per week. It is hoped that with improved infrastructure, more services will expand to use this route.
Buses carry many more passengers than private vehicles, therefore if buses have an average occupancy of 25 people per bus, this would mean that over 1000 people would get into Barnstaple quicker every day.
Due to the high volume of general traffic compared to bus traffic, there will be minimal conflict beyond the A361 junction where buses will merge with general traffic towards Barnstaple.
- Why are you removing the merge lane at A361 junction?
The merge lane of the right turn from A361 towards town is not being removed. The island and the hatched markings are being removed, and the merging lanes will be the same length as the existing one.
- Why can’t you spend the money on other schemes? Or on more bus services?
The majority of funding was secured from the Government for Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) capital schemes which can only be used to build new infrastructure with the purpose of improving bus priority.