Have your say on traffic in Newton Abbot
Newton Abbot residents, businesses, commuters and visitors are being asked to give their views on traffic in the town by completing a short online survey.
The Newton Abbot Community Engagement Survey has been created by a partnership of Newton Abbot Town Council, Teignbridge District Council and Devon County Council and will be available online from Thursday June 17.
All answers are anonymous, and the survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
The questions include preferred method of travel, whether respondents work or live in the town and length of commute.
The survey also invites respondents to give their views on traffic flow and if they think drivers generally keep to the speed limit, exceed it, or drive below the speed limit.
And for those who choose to predominantly walk or cycle in the town, it also asks if they feel ‘confident’ when crossing the road or cycling on the road respectively.
The partnership is currently investigating the viability of a 20mph limit in the town, and a key part of that is understanding people’s perceptions of traffic.
Alongside traffic data the results of the survey will help the partnership understand if a new lower speed limit would benefit the town.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management said: “We recognise that not everyone will share the same view and the more people who live, work or visit Newton Abbot who fill out this survey, the more complete picture we will have.
“The results will then help us determine and shape future policy.”
Mayor of Newton Abbot, Councillor Mike Joyce said: “This survey is the first part of a process that will help us understand if people feel there is an issue with traffic that needs to be fixed. Traffic and road safety is an issue that affects everyone of all ages – whether you are walking to school, cycling to work or making deliveries in a van.
“The survey can be completed online and there will be paper copies available in both the library and town hall.”
Local county councillor for Newton Abbot North, Cllr Phil Bullivant said: “Please spare ten minutes to complete this survey as it will help us understand whether there are specific concerns we need to look at or if the type of traffic flow in Newton Abbot is what can be reasonably expected for the town of this size.
“The survey is completely anonymous to encourage people to say what they really think.”
Local county councillor for Newton Abbot South, Cllr Janet Bradford, said: “Please share the survey link to family, friends, and colleagues. Understanding people’s perceptions of speed, traffic flow and how confident they feel walking and cycling in the town is as important as the actual number of cars. The results will help us understand if there is a prevailing view in the town and if intervention of some kind is needed.”
Teignbridge District Council Executive Member for climate change Cllr Jackie Hook said: “It is important that we understand current travel behaviour and residents’ views on traffic and road safety in the town. Councillors are often contacted about both traffic speed and congestion issues and we know that we need to encourage more people out of their cars for short journeys, if we are going to tackle congestion, air pollution and climate change. This is your chance to have a say in how we create that safer greener future.”
Please click on this link to begin the survey: Newton Abbot Community Engagement Survey.
A limited stock of printed versions will be available at the Library and Newton’s Place from Monday June 21.
The survey will be open for completion until Monday July 19, 2021.
If you need more information or a different format phone 0345 155 1015, email customer@devon.gov.uk, text 80011 (start your message with the word Devon), or write to Devon County Council, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD.
