17th February 2012

HONITON: Local Plan recommendations face district council discussions

A SERIES of improvements to Honiton’s transport system have been lodged with the district council.

Town councillors are now waiting to find out if the list of recommendations will be included in the Local Plan for East Devon.

The list includes putting more emphasis on cycling and walking, creating a transport hub on the Bradfords site and reducing traffic – especially heavy goods vehicles – in the town centre.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) officers have been analysing the town council’s response to the plans, which were submitted on September 6th.

The district council’s Local Plan Panel will meet on February 28th to discuss the recommendations and decide whether to carry them forward.

A second meeting of the panel is scheduled for March 20th.

The town council hopes that all or some of the nine recommendations it put forward will be stitched into the Local Plan and implemented in the next 15 years.

The main issues affecting Honiton’s infrastructure and transport were discussed by the Town Council Traffic and Transport working group.

The group also worked with the Town Management Advisory Committee (a collection of Town Council, Devon County Council, EDDC, Highways Agency, Devon & Cornwall Police and Chamber representatives) and by the LDF Project Group.

The project groups’ findings will comprise of feedback from residents in both the public meeting held on November 1st 2010 and via the completed questionnaires returned to the town council.

The new Local Plan – which is continually being amended in the run up to being handed to the government in June - will build on and supersede work that has gone into the (past) LDF Core Strategy, said an EDDC spokesman.

The Local Plan will be the blueprint for housing, employment and transport up to 2026.

The district council’s most recent two-month consultation finished on January 31st.

A EDDC spokesman said: “All comments submitted during the latest round of consultation, which ended on January 31st, are currently being analysed and assessed.

“These comments will be taken into account when the Local Plan Panel meets again on February 28th to consider any possible amendments to the current draft document.”

The town council’s recommendations are:

The newly-introduced hourly train service should be increased to half hourly between Exeter and Yeovil to encourage use of public transport both into and out of Honiton.

More emphasis be put on cycling and walking within the town and new and existing cycle routes promoted. Cycle racks made available in all car parks, green spaces and on the High Street.

An alternative site should be found for Bradfords and the site redeveloped into a main hub transport interchange and mixed use development.

Create a Park and Ride facility to reduce traffic in the town centre, particularly HGVs.

The heritage rail line from Feniton to Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth be re-instated.

Charging points for electric vehicles made available in the park and ride car park(s).

Create a regular and direct bus service to Exeter (in particular the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital) and to Cranbrook.

Improve transport links into the town during evenings and on Sundays.

Relocation of EDDC to Heathpark should include the introduction of a safe cycling and walking route to the High Street and a park and ride facility.