AROUND £200,000 is to be spent on improving transport links in areas including West Devon this year. The proposals were last week approved by Devon County Council's executive as part of the Devon on the Move local transport plan which launched last year and runs until 2011. Plans for the Plymouth sub-region include completing a feasibility study looking into providing a rail link between Tavistock and Plymouth; improvements to bus stop and bus shelter facilities for passengers on the A386 Tavistock corridor and work to encourage more people to cycle from Yelverton to Plymouth. The Government has given the county £33.197 million pounds to spend on improving local transport, highway maintenance and bridge strengthening schemes in the coming financial year. The projects are part of a £150 million package over a five year period. The plan aims to make roads safer and tackle traffic congestion with schemes to reduce accidents and improve air quality throughout the county. Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council executive member for environment, said: 'Over the next four years we should see an increase in people cycling and using public transport, but the transport plan is also about making Devon's roads safer and improving air quality.' Rural areas will benefit with further investment in the Wheels to Work programme, aimed at helping young people who live in communities where there is no bus service to travel to work or college. Shopmobility and Ring and Ride schemes will also be extended to give disabled people access to local shops and services. The report also outlines plans to replace the underpass on the A390 to allow pedestrian and cycle access to the West Devon and Cornwall Mining World Heritage site.
