Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan endorsed by councillors

Plans for future transport improvements in Devon and Torbay have been endorsed by Devon County Councillors.

Extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement has informed the development of the Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2025-2040, produced jointly with Torbay Council.

Following the decision by Devon County Council’s Cabinet, the LTP will now be submitted to the newly formed Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority in the next stage of its progression towards adoption.

The LTP sets out the Council’s priorities for transport and is supported by existing complementary strategies including the Devon Carbon Plan, the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans, the Bus Service Improvement Plan and the Devon Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy.

The vision of the plan is for transport to be well-integrated and accessible in order to facilitate sustainable growth, support net zero carbon targets by 2050 at the latest, improve travel choice and benefit people’s health and wellbeing.

It is underpinned by objectives which include decarbonisation, unlocking development, making travel easier and more reliable, and ensuring Devon is the place to be naturally active.

The results of the public consultation held in October and November last year found that the vision of the LTP was supported to some extent by 82% of respondents and its objectives were considered important by at least 80% of respondents.

A number of priorities are proposed across all areas of Devon and Torbay, including enhancement of bus services and supporting transition to lower emission and zero emission buses, providing bus priority on key routes, improving the integration of rail and bus services, expanding pedestrian and cycle networks, and establishing a comprehensive network of electric vehicle charging facilities to support the transition to electric vehicles and help make private car usage as environmentally efficient as possible.

All of the proposals are subject to securing funding from a range of sources including Local Transport Plan, Government grants and developer contributions.