Submission from Mid-Devon District Council

 

 

The Need for an Integrated Transport Hub in Cullompton, Devon

 

1.0 This submission outlines the need for an integrated transport hub in Cullompton with access to the mainline rail network and motorway. This should include:

· Reinstatement of a mainline train station / stop on land at Longbridge Meadow Industrial Estate

· Provision of a new coach stop and development of an integrated coach / bus stop linked to the proposed Eastern Relief Road

· Provision of a commuter service between Taunton & Exeter.

 

1.1 Cullompton is a rapidly growing market town on the M5 / Paddington mainline corridor between Taunton and Exeter. The population of Cullompton, which currently stands at 8,500, is set to increase by 60% over the next 20 years according to the projections in the Mid Devon Local Development Framework. It also serves a large rural area of some 20,000 people. A high percentage of Cullompton's population commute to Exeter or Taunton for work, using the already congested Station Road and Junction 28 to access the motorway. As a consequence, there are air quality issues along this major route and the area has been designated as an Air Quality Monitoring Area.

 

1.2 In order to solve these problems and to contribute to the reduction of congestion in Exeter and Taunton the provision of an integrated transport hub close to the mainline and motorway needs to be investigated. This should include the reinstatement of train station in Cullompton with the provision of commuter services into Taunton and Exeter, and an integrated coach / bus stop linking the long-distance motorway services and local bus services.

 

1.2 The Mid Devon Local Development Framework recognises the need for long term solutions, and includes the following objectives:

 

COR14 'Promote further public transport improvements within Cullompton and to other urban centre (particularly Tiverton and Exeter) & improve access to the rail network.'

Mid Devon Local Development Framework Core Strategy 2026 adopted in July 2007

 

"There are particular issues arising from the significant commuting and retail flows between Cullompton and Exeter; 19% of the working population are employed in the city. A key objective of the strategy is to further enhance the public transport links between the two settlements, both through improved bus links and the possibility of re-opening the mainline railway station in the long term. There are also concerns about the capacity of the motorway junction, which will need to be addressed."

Item 7.47 Culm Development Plan Document Issues and Option Report 2007

 

1.3 The draft Cullompton Air Quality Management Area Action Plan 2008 also includes the need to undertake a Feasibility Study for reinstatement of Cullompton Railway Station.

 

"A study to examine the cost / feasibility of reopening a mainline railway station in Cullompton. The provision of a new station would improve commuter public links between Exeter and Taunton as well as wider access to the regional rail network. A new station location has been identified but is likely to require improvements to the capacity / signalling along this stretch of the track in addition to the other infrastructure requirements of a new station/stop."

Cullompton Air Quality Management Area Action Plan 2008

 

1.4 These proposals are in line with both the Devon Local Transport Plan and the Regional Transport Plan. The Devon LTP has as its first objective 'Tackling Traffic Congestion'. It recognises the need for local commuter services as part of the solution for tackling congestion and air quality issues in Exeter.

 

"Local train services are becoming increasingly important and make a significant contribution to the congestion strategy."

Devon Local Transport Plan, Exeter sub-region

 

1.5 However, although there are local stations and commuter services on all mainlines and local lines into and out Exeter (the Barnstaple, Exmouth, Paignton and Waterloo lines), there are no local stations on the Paddington mainline until Tiverton Parkway, restricting commuters' use from the north of Exeter.

 

1.6 The proposals are also in accordance with Regional Transport Policies TR11 & TR6:

 

Policy TR11 - Intra-regional Public Transport - Improved rail, bus and coach services will be sought to facilitate sustainable travel between settlements within the region. This will be achieved through the removal of infrastructure constraints; better quality trains and buses/coaches; enhanced station and interchange facilities, station parking and passenger information.

 

Policy TR6 - Inter-regional Bus and Coach Network - LDDs and LTPs should provide for the enhancement of long distance bus and coach services, and should make provision for interchange infrastructure at SSCTs (Strategically Significant Cities and Towns) and other nodal centres on the Strategic Road Network.

 

1.7 Public Consultation carried out by the Culm Transport Focus Group (a subgroup of the Culm Valley Market & Coastal Town Initiative) in 2007 showed that 74% of respondents would use the train if Cullompton station reopened and 60% said they would use the long distance coaches if they stopped at Cullompton. Currently coaches pass within 200m of Cullompton, but do not stop, and again people have to travel to Exeter or Taunton to pick one up.

 

1.8 In conclusion, I believe the proposals set out in this submission are the best solution to the local problems in Cullompton, will contribute to the reduction of congestion in Exeter, and will provide the people of Cullompton and surrounding area with an appropriate level of public transport in keeping with its growing population.