Working with LDA Design, PJA were commissioned by the planning authorities in the Greater Exeter area to provide high level transport strategic thinking for the emerging Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (GESP).
The local authorities of East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, Teignbridge and Devon County Council are working together to prepare a spatial strategy for the Exeter area up to 2040. This will sit above individual Local Plans and direct development in the Greater Exeter area.
LDA, PJA and CBRE were commissioned to undertake a high-level review of thirteen strategic growth areas across the Greater Exeter area. All of these sites were considered capable of accommodating strategic growth at varying scales.
The initial review then narrowed down the sites to three most capable of achieving the overall vision of developing an accessible and networked city region with high quality homes and jobs.
PJA undertook a review of all thirteen sites, identifying their relative accessibility. We then developed a more detailed transport strategy for three sites, recognizing the opportunities to connect into existing transport networks – road, public transport, cycle and walk – and identifying new infrastructure requirements.
A concept plan was developed for each site, with indicative layouts, internal street networks, highway access points and public transport routes.
Constraints identified included the M5 motorway to the east of the city creating a significant barrier; the lack of routes around the north of the city; a congested existing highway network; and the topography of the Clyst and Exe valleys.
Opportunities identified included establishing high quality bus corridors; new motorway crossing(s); park & ride opportunities to the west of the city; and improving cycle routes in from the west.
The Strategic Framework Report will feed into the evidence base for the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan as it emerges over coming years.
