Policy GESP30: Movement in Exeter

Exeter’s movement and public transport networks and infrastructure will be improved by:

1. Focussing on quality of place by requiring and enabling streets and corridor improvements to reduce the dominance of cars and support city centre vitality. The public realm, including in the following corridors will be improved to create people focussed urban areas with safer cycling and walking, improved air quality and reduced dominance of cars:
   1. City Centre streets, including South Street, Fore Street, Paris Street and Queen Street
   2. Heavitree Road
   3. Cowick Street
2. Building a comprehensive pedestrian and cycle network within Exeter. This includes the following cycle routes which will be delivered as allocated or identified on the relevant policies map and to be detailed in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan [policies map and Infrastructure Delivery Plan to be published with the next version of the GESP]:
   1. St David’s – University of Exeter – Redhayes Bridge
   2. City Centre – Heavitree – Redhayes Bridge
   3. City Centre – Wonford – Newcourt – Topsham
   4. Pennsylvania – Polsloe Bridge – Heavitree – Wonford – River Exe
   5. SW Exeter – Alphington – City Centre
3. Improving cross-city bus corridors and bus access to edge of city growth locations and employment areas will be achieved by developing Park and Ride sites on all key road corridors into Exeter, doubling the number of spaces serving the city. This is set out in draft policy GESP27
4. Expanding Shared Mobility provision across the City, linking with Electric charging and supporting the creation of a new zero-emission transport subscription service.

8.41 Despite the majority of Exeter residents now travelling to work by sustainable modes, their movements still account for 35% of car-based commuter trips to destinations in the city. With the widest choice of travel options and shortest journey distances, those who live and work in the city have the greatest opportunity to use non-car modes. Proposals to make alternative means of travelling to work more attractive and to achieve an even better shift to sustainable transport modes are identified in draft policy GESP30. Suggested improvements include:

• Removal of car dominance on some key routes to create safer walking and cycling options with improved air quality
• Expanding the already successful pedestrian and cycle network to achieve a more comprehensive network with linkages between home, work and recreational destinations
• Using the expansion of park and ride facilities in Exeter (identified in draft policy GESP27) to potentially improve cross-city bus corridors which will more effectively connect people’s homes to key employment sites on the edge of the city
• Expanding shared mobility provision, making it easier for residents to take advantage of a range of zero-emission transport options available within the city

8.42 The content of draft policy GESP30 is based on the Exeter Transport Strategy, developed by Devon County Council. The purpose of the Strategy is to promote sustainable travel by focusing on the health and quality of place benefits and the opportunities that technology offers to engage and inform people about their travel choices. The full Strategy is available at www.gesp.org.uk/evidence.

---