Decision – Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan Four 2025

Transport and
connectivity have a vital role in helping make Devon and Torbay the
best place to grow up, live happily and healthily, and prosper.

Reliable transport was
essential in enabling people to access employment, education,
healthcare and social activities. An affordable, sustainable and
connected transport system can help improve the quality of life for
Devon and Torbay’s residents and drive economic growth and
productivity.

The way people travel
has changed. Technology and the increased use of online options has
influenced how people shop, work and access health care. People are
also travelling more for leisure and accessing the areas
outstanding coast and countryside across Devon and Torbay.

The vision and
objectives apply to the whole of Devon and Torbay. However, it is
also recognised that transport needs and solutions vary across
urban, rural and coastal areas. 
Therefore, four place-based strategies within the Local Transport
Plan have been created. These address the distinct needs in these
areas and recognise that some objectives would be more important in
certain places.

1.      endorse the
Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2025-2040 for later adoption
by the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority;

2.      delegate
authority to the Director of Pride in Place in consultation with
the Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Parking to make minor
amendments to the Local Transport Plan 4 ahead of submission to the
Combined County Authority; and

3.      that schemes
shall be subject to appropriate and proportionate approvals
processes including consultation.

Local Transport Plans
are statutory documents, required under the Local Transport Act
2008, for the Local Transport Authorities to produce.

Option 1 Do not
endorse.  Whilst in the transition
period with the Combined County Authority, the existing plan would
remain part of the Torbay Council Policy Framework and would expire
in 2026.  This was not recommended,
given the changes to policy, the work committed to date and the
need to meet the obligations of the Devolution Deal.

Option 2 Alternative
Local Transport Plan Four.  Different
visions, objectives and interventions could be produced.
 However, the proposed Local Transport
Plan Four has been developed in close alignment with local,
regional and national policy and strategy.  Recent public consultation demonstrates that the
content of the proposed plan was well supported.  To propose a significantly different approach for
would risk being disjointed and reduce likelihood of securing
transport investment for the area.  It
would also impact on delivery timescales, missing the March 2025
target date for the Devon and Torbay Devolution deal.

This decision will
come into force and may be implemented on 31 March 2025 unless the
call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders
in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

Local Transport Plans
set out the overarching ambitions for the local transport network
with policies for the promotion of safe, integrated, efficient and
economic transport, alongside proposals for the implementation of
these policies. 

Following the
formation of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority with
responsibility for strategic transport, the requirement to have a
Local Transport Plan in place would be a duty for the Devon and
Torbay Combined County Authority and no longer sit with Torbay
Council.  There was a commitment within
the draft devolution agreement for an updated Local Transport Plan
to have been progressed by March 2025 (not adopted) and given the
timescales involved it was necessary for the authorities working
together (rather than as one in a Combined County Authority) to
begin that process with the initial evidence base, drafting and
engagement work.

The updated Local
Transport Plan Four set out a clear vision and objectives for a
place-based strategy from 2025-2040.

At the meeting,
Councillor Billings proposed and Councillor Tyerman seconded a
motion that was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet, as set out
above.