Newquay and Plymouth Airports - their rise and fall - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[ellendune]

Add to that line speeds from the top of Hemerden Bank(Plympton) all the way to Newton Abbot are only 55/60mph while motorway speeds are the norm on the parrallel A38(Proposed to be raised to 80mph).

Since when has the A38 been a motorway?  I think the proposal only includes motorways, not all purpose trunk roads.

[Zoe]

Since when has the A38 been a motorway?  I think the proposal only includes motorways, not all purpose trunk roads.

Indeed, there's even a bend on the A38(T) near Exeter that can't safely be taken at 70 mph.

[woody]

Since when has the A38 been a motorway?  I think the proposal only includes motorways, not all purpose trunk roads.

Indeed, there's even a bend on the A38(T) near Exeter that can't safely be taken at 70 mph.

I can assure you that most traffic moves generally at motorway speeds 70/80mph on the A38 Devon Expresway and its some 7 miles shorter than rail between Plymouth and Exeter despite a few very gentle bends(the exception being at Halden hill Northbound 50mph) but thats all.It certainly far less bendy than the rail route between Plymouth and Exeter.Indeed just out of interest I recently had the opportunity to time how long it took to drive at 70mph down the M5/A38 from alongside Tiverton Parkway station to Plymouth(Marsh Mills) and it took just 50 minutes compared to about 1hour 20 minutes on the train.Even at 70mph other vehicles were flying by me all the way to Plymouth.I would like to point out that I mostly use the train and very rarely drive long distances these days.Unfortunately not enough of Plymouths population share my passion for railways these days given the transport realities in South Devon.

[Zoe]

Unfortunately not enough of Plymouths population share my passion for railways these days given the transport realities in South Devon.

At the end of the day though it seems that there just isn't much travel demand from Plymouth in general.  On the roads Exeter justifies a motorway with three lanes in each direction but west of Exeter it's just a dual carriageway and a motorway is not justified as the A38(T) copes well with the traffic.

[woody]

Just for interest here is Dft press release about the Governments proposed 80MPH motorway speed limit
http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-2011100
Interestingly at the bottom it reads "We are also considering the case related to increasing the speed limit on other high standard, near-motorway dual carriageways".Not sure if the A38 Devon Expressway would meet thet standard or not.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Since when has the A38 been a motorway?  I think the proposal only includes motorways, not all purpose trunk roads.

Indeed, there's even a bend on the A38(T) near Exeter that can't safely be taken at 70 mph.

I can assure you that most traffic moves generally at motorway speeds 70/80mph on the A38 Devon Expresway and its some 7 miles shorter than rail between Plymouth and Exeter despite a few very gentle bends (the exception being at Halden hill Northbound 50mph) but thats all. ... Even at 70mph other vehicles were flying by me all the way to Plymouth.

On the roads Exeter justifies a motorway with three lanes in each direction but west of Exeter it's just a dual carriageway and a motorway is not justified as the A38(T) copes well with the traffic.

Hmm. From my personal experience of driving down that way, I'd be inclined to agree with both of those points. C. 

[Zoe]

From my personal experience of driving down that way, I'd be inclined to agree with both of those points. C. 

It should also be noted that Exeter and Plymouth are also two of the largest cities that do not have a direct dual carriageway link to London.

[ChrisB]

A303 - doesn't go down to Exeter?

[Zoe]

A303 - doesn't go down to Exeter?

Some of it is dual carriageway but there are still significant sections where the road is little more than a country lane and you can end up stuck behind a truck for some time.  At one point there is even a bend with a 20 mph advisory speed limit.  Due to these poor quality sections, quite a few people use the M5 and M4 to get to London even though it's the long way round.

[LiskeardRich]

A303 - doesn't go down to Exeter?

A303 doesn't make it to exeter. Becomes,the a30 at some point. It is also an awful single carriageway at the west end. From exeter best route to the 303 is m5 to taunting j25or 26, forgotten which at the moment, and across to the 303 from there. This cuts out most of the single carriageway winding bits as well

[Zoe]

A303 doesn't make it to exeter. Becomes,the a30 at some point. It is also an awful single carriageway at the west end. From exeter best route to the 303 is m5 to taunting j25or 26, forgotten which at the moment, and across to the 303 from there. This cuts out most of the single carriageway winding bits as well

Or just forget the A303 completely and use the M5 and M4.

[Henry]

 Slightly off topic, but considering Newton Abbot is a well-used busy, medium sized station.

 So why is the level of investment, compared with Exeter/Plymouth so small ?

[woody]

PLYMOUTH'S airport could become a ^25-^30million "world class international gateway" under plans being worked on by a group of businesspeople campaigning to save it.
The Viable group has today unveiled a vision for the Derriford site which would see the runway extended, a new terminal built and land turned over for lucrative commercial use.
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Vision-new-30million-airport-Plymouth-unveiled/story-14218392-detail/story.html?persist=true&afterReg=Y&logout=true&
Personally I dont think the "Vision" stands a hope in hell of getting of the ground.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Indeed: it all seems rather pie in the sky, doesn't it? 

[ellendune]

Perhaps create London's new hub airport there to replace Heathrow and construct a new high speed rail link to Gatwick via London.