New strategy set to transform travel in the South West

Peninsula Transport, the Sub-national Transport Body for the Southwest Peninsula, has unveiled a regional transport strategy aimed at transforming the transportation landscape across Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay.

Approved by the Peninsula Transport Board in March 2024, the strategy marks a significant step towards a more resilient, reliable, and accessible transport system designed to bolster economic growth and promote sustainable travel.

Developed over five years, the strategy is rooted in extensive evidence and incorporates feedback from a wide-ranging consultation period that began with the draft release in December 2023. 

The consultation involved government bodies, industry stakeholders, businesses, and local communities, ensuring that the strategy addresses the diverse needs of travellers within the peninsula.

The strategy sets out four key outcomes to be achieved by 2030, guiding the region towards its ultimate objective by 2050 of a fully integrated, safe, and net-zero transport network. 

The outcomes include:

1. Easier Journeys: Creation of an integrated public transport system tailored to customer needs, enhancing travel accessibility and improving active travel connections with bus and rail networks.
2. Going Electric: Expansion of affordable zero-emission transport options through a reliable electric vehicle charging network and alternative fuel choices for road freight and buses.
3. A Connected Peninsula: Development of safe, reliable, resilient, and sustainable transport links that support climate adaptation across the peninsula.
4. Completing the Transport Network: By 2050, the strategy aims for a fully integrated and improved transport network, ensuring seamless connections and advancing towards net-zero emissions.

To advance these outcomes, Peninsula Transport's current work programme targets several critical areas. 

These include integrated ticketing development, rural mobility solutions, road and rail network resilience, electric vehicle infrastructure, freight initiatives, and carbon emissions forecasting. 

Additionally, the establishment of a Regional Centre of Excellence will support partner organisations in achieving these goals.

Peninsula Transport will also advocate for the enhancement of strategic road and rail links across the peninsula, aiming to improve journey safety, efficiency, and resilience.

Complementing the strategy, a Strategic Implementation Plan is in development, expected to be finalised by late 2024. 

This plan will prioritise specific schemes and initiatives essential for the strategy's successful execution, guiding government and stakeholders on the unique transport needs of the peninsula.

Councillor Mark Coker, Peninsula Transport Chair, said: “The Peninsula Transport Strategy marks a major milestone as it sets out our advice to government on the region’s transport needs.

“We have placed the user at the heart of the strategy, and we want to see hassle-free, more sustainable and better connected journeys. Through the strategy, we provide a collective regional voice, which will help to boost our key transport links and complement the work of our local authorities to enhance regional connectivity.

“The STB will continue to bring partners and organisations together to ensure we deliver for the peninsula, acting as champions and providing the vital link between national, regional and local transport policy.”

Tim Steer, Vice Chair of the Tarka Rail Association, expressed his support: “For too long, the Southwest Peninsula has been dominated by car-based culture: I am pleased to see that the Peninsula Transport strategy reflects this.  I fully support the strategy to decarbonise this area of the UK with extending and upgrading sustainable transport infrastructure.  Connectivity of districts such as Torridge are very poor, and this new transport document can help demonstrate the strategic importance on why this now needs to change.”