East Devon is coach-friendly hotspot

Four towns receive accreditation

East Devon has become one of the country’s most coach-friendly areas after three more towns secured a new accreditation.

Honiton, Seaton and Sidmouth have now all been given coach-friendly status by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), which helps highlight locations that welcome coach tourism.

This means East Devon District Council now has four locations– including Exmouth – with the accreditation, the most towns with such an accolade of any council in England.

Cllr Del Haggerty (Independent, Seaton), who has been spearheading the project, said he is “over the moon”.

“It’s a great incentive for tourism and it will increase footfall in those areas,” he said.

“We will now work with the towns to help them show what they have to offer.”

Nearly £800 million of cash comes into the region in coach tourism in a boost to its economy from coach passengers using local businesses and services, according to a CPT report.

Funding towards coach-related signage was approved last month as part of wider efforts to ensure more towns in the district can secure accreditation.

East Devon District Council’s full council meeting agreed to spend up to £12,000 on signs that towns will need to secure CPT coach-friendly status.

The district will fund half the amount – up to a maximum of £1,500 per town – with the respective town or parish council providing the rest.

Improving signage and parking have helped secure more coach tourism, and Cllr Paul Arnott (Liberal Democrat, Coly Valley) said East Devon is trying to promote itself as a “tourist destination that has a distinct offer to other parts” of the county.

A CPT spokesperson said: “These latest awards mean East Devon now boasts four coach-friendly towns – more than any other council district in the UK – with Exmouth receiving its status last month,” the organisation said.

“As a key destination for coach tourism, East Devon is setting the standard for welcoming groups and supporting local economies.

“This milestone also brings the number of coach-friendly locations in the Peninsula Transport region – which launched its Coach Action Plan earlier this month with CPT’s support – to six, including Wells (Somerset) and RHS Garden Rosemoor.”