DEVON Senior Voice (DSV) has taken a keen and active interest in the regeneration of the Exeter Bus Station site from the first public consultation.

DSV members – as well as members of the wider public – travel to Exeter from all over the county to the city-centre bus station.

They are looking for considerable improvement on what they currently experience.

The outline planning application submitted to Exeter City Council is not encouraging.

The outline plan for the “new” bus station gives every impression of being the smallest that can be planned.

The number of bus bays ignores coaches as part of an integral whole. It has been confirmed there are no plans for expansion in the immediate future.

This is despite the growing periphery of Exeter and towns and villages throughout the county.

Much is made of car parks to reduce city-centre traffic with park-and-ride buses to ease drivers’ journey to the shops.

There should be no less consideration given to bus and coach passengers using a central bus and coach station.

Recently DSV has been working with other interested community groups and a local business.

The outline planning application for the site will be discussed by the full Exeter City Council on January 20.

We will attend the meeting and hope to be given the opportunity to speak against the bus station aspect of the plan.

John Montgomery

Chairman

Transport Advisory Group

Devon Senior Voice.