Futures Forum: Devon and transport

Saturday, 22 June 2013

Devon and transport

Councillor Stuart Hughes of Sidmouth is Devon County Cabinet member for Highways & Transportation. He has his own blog: www.devonconservative.org.uk

Today, the Tour de Manche was launched [Futures Forum: Cycling: Tour de Manche launch] - which required a little preparation:

PICTURE GALLERY: Countries united by-cycling! | News centre

07/4/13: SIGNING OF QUIET ROADS FOR GRANDE TOUR DE MANCHE

I have made the Cabinet member decision to sign some of the quiet roads between Dorset and Sidmouth to achieve the launch of the Grande Tour De Manche cycle route on the 22nd June......Up until now this section of the route has been signed by Sustrans using stickers and the decision taken will now see the route formally signed.

A vital lifeline for residents and an important route for Jurassic Coast tourists is being tended to:

02/3/13: NEW ALMA BRIDGE DESIGN

I am delighted to report that a possible option for replacing the whole of the existing bridge deck and the removal of the central pier has been drawn up by our bridge section at County Hall.

The new bridge would span across the river and therefore not rely on the intermediate piers in the river. Strengthening works would be required to the support on the East bank.

We have tried to maintain features of the original bridge by retaining the ornate wooden parapets, using similar brick work and possibly salvaging the ornamental stonework features. This will be the subject to further discussion should the scheme progress. The estimated costs involved is around £250,000 and therefore it is imperative that East Devon District Council carry out some rock revetment work ahead of any Beach Management scheme around the Pennington Point area. I continue to push this point as the bridge is the lifeline to those living to the east of the Sid and is also important to our local economy as it forms the gateway to Footpath 120 South West Coastal Footpath.

There are real concerns about the impact of proposed development on traffic in the Sid Valley:

02/3/13: SIDFORD TRAFFIC & FLOODING CONCERNS

As the Cabinet member for Highways & Transportation and lead member on flooding I have made it quite clear that I am totally against any Business Park development taking place within the AONB to the north of Sidford. This would be fool hardy and must be resisted, the impact on Sidford would be catastrophic and there are genuine flooding concerns.

I am continuing to press for the link road to the Alexandria Industrial Estate from the B3176 so that it can reach its full potential as there is ample room to expand and provide future employment opportunities.

Important work has begun on local cycle paths:

02/3/13: SIDFORD TO SIDBURY PHASE OF SID VALLEY TRAIL MOVES A STEP CLOSER

The Design work on the Sid Valley Trail Sidford to Sidbury phase of the Cycleway /Footway has now been completed and talks with relevant landowners are taking place.