£850,000 upgrades to Barnstaple travel options

New road layout and reconfigured bus stops

Plans for major improvements to help make it easier for people to switch between the bus and train in Barnstaple have been given the go-ahead.

A significant £850,000 scheme will see bus stops reconfigured, a new mini roundabout created and the road layout simplified to make it easier for passengers to use the town’s buses and railway station.

Devon County Council’s cabinet heard the idea behind the plan was to “support the whole diversity of travel opportunities” in the town.

Councillor Caroline Leaver (Liberal Democrat, Barnstaple South) said the proposals, which are largely being funded by a government transport grant, had been revised following an earlier proposal last year.

“This project has been to cabinet in the previous administration and has been through the highways and traffic committee (Hatoc), and we have fought hard to make sure the decision before you takes on board some of the real concerns from residents about the previous project,” she said.

“This is about making it easier for people to make the choice to transfer from buses to trains, but also about making it safer for pedestrians, cyclists and those on mobility scooters to access public transport.”

Cllr Leaver said the railway station was close to the Tarka Trail, the longest continuously paved cycle track in the country, yet accessing trains from it was difficult given the current road layout.

At present, those on foot have to cross four lanes of traffic without any formal crossing area near the station, but this will be reduced to two, and  a pedestrian and cycle crossing will be provided next to the station entrance.

The proposed mini roundabout at the eastern end of the road past the station will give traffic (including buses) travelling from the town centre priority over traffic coming from Tesco.

Some land transfers will take place between Network Rail and Devon County Council to ensure the revised road layout falls within the ownership of the local authority and that all car parks are under the auspices of the transport firm.

Furthermore, the station forecourt will be expanded to accommodate improved bus stop facilities, including shelters, real-time information screens and cycle parking.

And informal crossing facilities will be provided at the eastern end of the road past the station to improve safety for people travelling between the station and the Seven Brethen industrial estate.

Signage providing directions towards bus stops and onward walking and cycling routes will also be revised.

The plan had previously included bus access onto Sticklepath Terrace, which would have enabled buses travelling towards Barnstaple town centre to avoid queues of traffic on Station Road, but this was subject to significant opposition during the public consultations on the scheme.

Councillor Graham Bell (Liberal Democrat, Braunton Rural) said Barnstaple railway station was “one of the most used small stations in the country”.

He welcomed the improvements but noted that now it would be vital to press for better train services from the station.

“While an improved station and improved bus services is excellent, a delay of one minute on the bus can lead to an hour’s wait for a train to Exeter,” he said.

“This needs to be improved and we need passing places to allow trains to cross, which would double capacity and allow the likes of children to get to college in Exeter more easily.

“We need to push for better rail connectivity for North Devon.”

The cabinet (Wednesday 12 November) approved the scheme.