SPT8 - Strategic connectivity

The quality and resilience of Plymouth and South West Devon's transport and digital connectivity to the rest of the country and to global markets will be protected and enhanced as set out below:

1. Safeguarding until the five-year review of this plan the opportunity for the potential future re-use of Plymouth airport as a general aviation airport, whilst at the same time strengthening transport links to Exeter and Bristol airports.  
2. Supporting the expansion of port activities in Plymouth with modernised and accessible port infrastructure, and safeguarding the existing port infrastructure, including the mineral wharves and fishing industry facilities.
3. Supporting investment that enhances the resilience of the rail network to extreme weather events and delivers improvements to capacity, frequency and journey times from London and the rest of the country. Measures will include:
   1. Delivering major improvements to Plymouth railway station to enhance its capacity and attractiveness as a regional hub station and gateway to the city.
   2. Improving connectivity and supporting the development of future rail freight opportunities between Cornwall, Plymouth, Exeter and the rest of the country.
   3. Supporting an additional route between Exeter and Newton Abbot that improves resilience and journey times and the re-opening of the Northern Route between Plymouth and Exeter via Tavistock and Okehampton.
   1. Supporting improvements to local rail connectivity and links between Tavistock and Plymouth and Okehampton and Exeter.
4. Supporting investment in the strategic road networks that connect Plymouth and South West Devon to wider markets, both to the east and to the west, into Cornwall, including in the Plan Area:
   1. Delivering major improvements on the intersections of the city and the A38 including Deep Lane, Marsh Mills, Forder Valley, Manadon and St Budeaux.
   2. Ensuring the A38 is modernised to be as well designed as motorways and which is able to offer the same standard of journeys to users.
5. Building upon Plymouth and South West Devon's digital connectivity ensuring that growth and change reflects the need to create high quality and technologically advanced methods of communication for businesses and residents as well as a network of shared and open data, which enables strategic decision making and unlocks barriers to strategic connectivity with the rest of the world.