News Have your say on plans to improve walking and cycling facilities and links in Exmouth

Exmouth’s residents and businesses are being asked for their views on proposals to improve walking and cycling facilities and links in and around the town’s railway station by completing a short survey.

This consultation follows on from the initial public engagement held in July where we asked the public’s views on some initial ideas.

We received more than 850 responses to our engagement, and this has enabled us to develop these proposals further.

These proposals are intended to encourage active travel, particularly for shorter journeys, reduce congestion, improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and those with mobility issues and improve connectivity across the town.

They will also help reduce carbon emissions by encouraging more people to use sustainable modes of travel.

As well as bringing benefits to local businesses through increased footfall, the proposals are also designed to make the area safer, more welcoming, and more pleasant place for all.

These proposals form part of the Destination Exmouth project, which is funded by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, Devon County Council, East Devon District Council and Exmouth Town Council.

Proposals include:

Exmouth Railway Station:

• Landscaping, improvements and better signs outside the station
• Planters added near the entrances to Marks & Spencer and the leisure centre, and the existing drop-off bay on Marine Way moved slightly further south
• Footway widened

Subway and ramps:

• Subway filled in and landscaped, nearby existing paths widened
• Improved shared path for pedestrians and cyclists

Imperial Road roundabout:

• Lane widths narrowed to discourage overtaking and to encourage lower speeds.
• On Railway station exit (Marine Way) a toucan crossing would replace the existing zebra crossing to improve safety and traffic flow.
• On the south western exit (Imperial Road) a combined pedestrian and cycle crossing would replace the current zebra crossing near Manchester Road; the current uncontrolled crossing near Manchester Street would be reconfigured to create a safer crossing; a raised table added at the Manchester Street junction with Imperial Road; leisure centre bus stop moved down imperial road; bus layby and central reservation would be modified to allow for the footpath to be widened
• New zebra crossing outside the Strand Inn on the east arm of the roundabout (town centre/Strand): a raised table added across the access road to the pub to improve pedestrian safety; cycle parking improved: the existing on street parking opposite The Strand would be moved slightly east to create a wider footpath.

Leisure centre short-stay car park:

• Access road (part of The Royal Avenue) to the small car park outside the leisure centre would be reconfigured
• A raised table added at the top of the road
• The footpath along this stretch of road would be widened, with a passing space introduced for vehicles using the car park
• Cyclists would be directed from the shared path outside the leisure centre onto the access road carriageway.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “Exmouth has become increasingly popular with tourists and visitors – it has a beautiful beach, a great range of shops, its connected to several cycling routes and the Strand is a great place to sit down have a drink and watch the world go by.

“But because it’s on the coast it only has one major access road and particularly in the summer months Marine Way and Imperial Road can get very congested. Access from the station to the town centre and seafront isn’t as easy as it should be – and that is what these plans aim to address.”

Councillor Stuart Hughes Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, and lead member for cycling, said: “The multi-use routes connected to Exmouth is one reason so many people visit the town. These plans aim make it easier to connect to these routes along the Exe Estuary Trail, along Exmouth Seafront and between Phear Park and Budleigh Salterton via Littleham.”

Councillor Nick Hookway, EDDC Chair of the Placemaking in Exmouth Town and Seafront Group added: “DCC Highways proposal for the Exmouth Gateway will be a welcome addition to East Devon District Council’s emerging Exmouth Placemaking Plan."

Councillor Olly Davey, Chairman of Exmouth Town Council, said: “I welcome the improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure to encourage sustainable travel into the town, and the other proposals for better signage etc. I urge as many residents and visitors as possible to respond to the consultation so that we get the best scheme we can achieve."

Councillor Richard Scott and Councillor Jeff Trail are the local county councillors for Exmouth.

In a joint statement they said: "As we continue to shape the future of Exmouth and develop the plan to deliver on Levelling Up 2 we are encouraging as many residents as possible to take part in the second round of consultation on the Exmouth Gateway designs. This is an exciting opportunity to improve the entrance to our town and seafront for the future and deliver this huge investment in Exmouth."

Between November 14 and January 5, the partnership would like to hear your views, so please visit the scheme webpage to complete the survey on Devon County Council's website. 

Additionally, we are holding two public drop-in events, where you can find out more about the proposals and speak to members of the project team:

• Wednesday 6 December, 11.30am-2.30pm at LED Exmouth Leisure Centre, EX8 1EN
• Thursday 7 December, 4:30pm -  7:30pm at Brixington Community Church,
  Churchill Road, Exmouth EX8 4JJ

You can complete the survey through the Have Your Say consultation page on DCC's website. 

If you require the consultation information in an alternative format, please call 0345 155 1015 or email transportplanning-mailbox@devon.gov.uk