Latest news
20/07/11: Redhayes Bridge open to cyclists and pedestrians
THE landmark Redhayes Bridge over the M5 has now been officially opened. You can view Westcountry's news report about the bridge opening online.
Transport Minister Norman Baker, who was among the first to cross the bridge, said: “I’m pleased to open the Redhayes Bridge today. The bridge will provide better access from the outskirts of Exeter to the city centre and encourage more people to walk and cycle. Having cycled across it I can say that the view from the bridge is great – if you have a head for heights!"
Sir Robin Nicholson, Director of Exeter Science Park Company and Member of Council, University of Exeter, said: “The bridge is not only a physical link for people to walk and cycle across but also a Knowledge Transfer link between the dynamic businesses which will be attracted to the Science Park and the established Knowledge Base of a UK Top 10 University and the world's top Met Office on the other side of the bridge.”
18/07/11: Official opening of Redhayes Bridge
Transport Minister Norman Baker will officially open the landmark Redhayes Bridge over the M5 on Wednesday (20 July).
A ceremony will be held at 9am as the Minister and representatives from all of the partners involved in the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point become the first to cross the £3.75 million structure. Devon County Council is providing the new infrastructure to link to the economic development in the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point, of which the Exeter Science Park is a key component, and the pedestrian and cycle bridge is the first element to be completed.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “A lot of attention has gone into the architectural features of the bridge to ensure it stands out as a landmark, and we're proud to be able to show the Minister this striking new structure and how it connects Exeter to the wider economic developments on the outskirts of the city. The foundations of the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point are really starting to take shape and Redhayes Bridge is a key part of that; not just because it's the first section of infrastructure to be completed but because of the important link it provides to encourage people to walk and cycle. Tackling congestion is one of our strategic aims and it's vital through schemes such as this, that sustainable travel options are provided alongside economic growth."
Improvements to Junction 29 of the M5, and the construction of a direct access road between the A30 trunk road and the new Exeter Science Park, are currently ongoing and are scheduled to be completed next Summer.
07/07/11: YouTube fly-through
You can now view a a fly-through video of the Science Park on our YouTube page (and also embedded on this page to the right). Further detail of the Science Park, along with the plans for the first building, will be added shortly. There is also a full interactive version of the video, showing the other developments in the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point, which you can see here.
07/07/11: Exeter and East Devon Business Portal
A new portal has been launched through Exeter Chamber of Commerce for those wishing to become suppliers to the Science Park. To register your interest, please visit the Growth Point website.
13/05/11: First Science Park e-newsletter published
We have recently published the first edition of our new e-newsletter, designed to keep you up-to-date with the latest news about Science Park developments from the comfort of your email inbox. If you haven't subscribed to our e-newsletter yet, you can read the first edition here.
14/02/11: New M5 bridge at Exeter lifted into place
The main span of a new £3.75m bridge over the M5 near Exeter has been lifted into place.
The operation to install the 220 tonne structure took place on Sunday night after a previous attempt on Saturday was prevented by high winds. The motorway was closed overnight while the work took place.
The Redhayes pedestrian and cycle bridge will provide a link between Exeter and the city's new science park, which is currently being constructed. It will also provide a safe route to the planned new town of Cranbrook.
Three cranes were used to perform the bridge lift.
08/02/11: Work is set to start on vital motorway improvements
The improvements are forecast to unlock almost £150 million worth of benefits for the Exeter area.
A partnership of public and private sector organisations working together to deliver a massive boost to the economy in Exeter and East Devon has welcomed news that vital improvements to Junction 29 of the M5 have been given the go-ahead by the Government .
Junction 29 holds the key to providing 10,000 new jobs on Exeter Science Park and Skypark, along with a new freight terminal and the expansion of Exeter Airport. It will increase the capacity of Junction 29 and provide direct access to the Science Park.
The Department for Transport has announced that Devon County Council will be awarded £10.4 million to help pay for the scheme, with the bulk of the money coming in the new financial year. Other funding will be provided by developers who are part of the Growth Point partnership.
These projects and others that come under the umbrella of the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point are part of an inter-locking jigsaw of homes, jobs and transport links, so every scheme that receives approval, funding, or both, is a further step toward a brighter future for the area.
16/12/10: Cycle and pedestrian bridge assembled this week
THE £3.75 million pedestrian and cycle bridge over the M5 is being assembled on site this week. (Monday 13 December)
The 100 metre single span arch bridge at Redhayes is the first major piece of infrastructure improving connections to the Exeter and East Devon New Growth Point, and marks a massive investment in the future growth of the local economy.
Site assembly of the main structure is now set to get underway as the seven main sections of the bridge, which were constructed off site in the steel fabricator’s works, have been brought onto the site over the past week. They will be pieced together on temporary heavy-duty trestles next to the M5, so that the bridge will be ready to be craned into place in the new year.
The development of the scheme, which will link to the cycle and walking routes in Exeter to the Exeter Science Park and other developments, remains on schedule to be completed by the end of March next year.
Read this article in full on thisisexeter.ac.uk
02/11/10: Exeter celebrates international reputation for science
Today the world-class science of Exeter is being celebrated with the launch of a new initiative, called Exeter City of Science.
The City of Science programme brings together key partners from across the city to promote its strengths and achievements, as well as its potential for the future.
The partners are: Exeter City Council, the University of Exeter, the Innovation Centre, the Met Office, the Environment Agency, the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, St Luke’s Science and Sports College, Exeter College and Devon Education Business Partnership.
John Hirst, Chief Executive of the Met Office, said: “Today, with so many world-class organisations based here, Exeter is recognised as one of the UK’s leading science hubs. The cutting-edge research done here is admired all over the world.”
“From the latest climate change predictions, to studies on how we can prevent dementia, to investigating new uses for the world’s newest materials, Exeter’s research and knowledge base is truly inspiring.”
Richard Ball, Head of Economy and Tourism for Exeter City Council and chair of the partnership, said: “Through the City of Science initiative we want to build on that superb reputation to forge new partnerships, encourage innovation, bring in investment, create new jobs and inspire young people.
“There are currently 6,000 people already directly employed in Exeter in the areas of Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics. That’s a real strength and we aim to build on that throught this project.”
To mark the launch, the Exeter City of Science website has today gone live at www.exeterscience.org.
It provides information on the different organisations, the scientists and the key areas of expertise in Exeter, as well as breaking news stories, scientific job adverts, and forthcoming events.
The site focuses on four key themes to highlight the world class science carried out in the city; Climate Change and the Environment; Creating a Healthy Population; Smarter Products and Digital Creativity.
Steve Smith, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Exeter, said: “The cutting-edge research done here has great potential to feed into the products and businesses of tomorrow.
“The website will act as a hub for that - promoting everything from the science that goes on here, to the experts who do that research, the partners they work for, and the opportunities they are creating.”
Among the many scientific organisations in the city is the world-renowned Met Office, the University of Exeter – which is in the world’s top 1% of higher education institutions, the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, and a host of others.
Their combined strength helps provide a gateway for smaller businesses, and this will be further reinforced with the opening of the Science Park – a landmark £240 million 60 acre development which will provide a key location for science-based business development.
The recent approval of funding for improvements to Junction 29 of the M5 in connection with the Science Park is expected to attract further development funding for the park from investors.
27/10/10: M5 junction gets go-ahead
Motorway improvements seen as vital to the future of Exeter’s economy have been given the green light by the Government. There had been fears the planned works to upgrade Junction 29 of the M5 could be a victim of public spending cuts. But politicians and business leaders breathed a sigh of relief when Transport Secretary Philip Hammond announced the scheme would go ahead. This paves the way for the development of Exeter Science Park.
Read this article in full on thisisexeter.co.uk.
27/10/10: Science Park progress is hailed by business chief
Business leaders have welcomed the latest progress on the development of Exeter Science Park.
Work started this week on a £1.1million access road which is integral to opening up the site as a hub for hi-tech industry.
It will provide access into the Science Park from north of the site, as an alternative to the main access from Junction 29 of the M5.
Professor Sir William Wakeham, chairman of Exeter Science Park, said the works represented a major step forward but stressed the scheme was a long-term development.
There are many imponderables because of the spending review but it looks likely that we shall probably get a building on site at the back end of 2012 or beginning of 2013, so that defines when the actual action can begin," he said.
"This site is so important, we are talking about decades of development for the Science Park so everything has to be put in place over a long period of time. There's an extensive amount of work to be done to prepare the site for businesses to move into."
The new stretch of road will run from Tithebarn Lane to the closed section of Blackhorse Lane between the Langaton Lane junction and the M5.
During the current phase of works, key utility services will also be installed along with sustainable drainage and groundworks for an electrical sub-station.
The new road will link into the second phase of Science Park highway infrastructure which is scheduled to start early in the New Year.
Read this article in full on thisisexeter.co.uk.
25/10/10: Work to start on Science Park access roads
Work will start on vital access roads to Exeter Science Park on Monday (25 October).
The £1.1 million scheme forms the initial phase of construction of the Science Park highway infrastructure. It is the latest project being delivered to the east of the M5 using the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) grant from central Government. The funding is also paying for the Redhayes Bridge across the motorway, which is currently under construction.
The stretch of road will extend from Tithebarn Lane to the currently closed section of Blackhorse Lane between the Langaton Lane junction and the M5.
The new road will ultimately provide an access road into the Science Park from north of the site, as an alternative to the main access from Junction 29, particularly for public transport. It will link into the second phase of Science Park highway infrastructure, funded by the South West RDA, which is scheduled to start early in the New Year. However, access off Tithebarn Lane will be prohibited until all of the Science Park highway infrastructure is completed, including access from Junction 29 and development of the site is underway.
As well as the development of highway, key utility services will also be installed to connect to future developments on the Science Park. Sustainable drainage will also be provided as well as groundworks for a future installation of an electrical sub-station.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “The start of this phase of work on the infrastructure to the Science Park clearly demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the project. It is vital that we continue to press ahead with these works, particularly in light of the coalition Government's declaration of support for Science based industries in its comprehensive spending review, which highlights how important the Science Park will be to the future economy of our region."
Professor Sir William Wakeham, Chair, Exeter Science Park, said: “This is an important piece of infrastructure for the long term viability of the site. The Science Park will be tremendously important in growing the knowledge economy of the region.”
Councillor Peter Bowden, Devon County Councillor for Broadclyst and Whimple, said: “This is good news. I am pleased that the concerns of the local residents have been taken into account and that the lanes will be closed to through traffic once work is complete."
The site will be accessed off the road leading to Redhayes Lodge, construction traffic will not be permitted to use Blackhorse Lane, Tithebarn Lane and Langaton Lane. A short temporary closure of Tithebarn Lane will be required in the latter stages of the scheme to allow surfacing works to be completed at the junction with the new road.
On completion of the work, there will be no vehicular access onto the new road from Blackhorse Lane and only pedestrians and cyclists will be able to access the road to continue on the new cycle path to the Redhayes Bridge over the M5.
The highway infrastructure has been designed by Parsons Brinckerhoff in partnership with the County Council, and the contractor for the scheme will be South West Highways. The scheme is scheduled for completion by the end of March 2011.
16/07/10: Science Park future secure
The funding for Phase one of the Exeter Science Park is secure and the project can go ahead as planned.
Although funding for improvements to Junction 29 of the M5 is under review by the government, this does not prevent phase one from going ahead.
The Science Park site was purchased by the South West RDA in 2008 at a total cost of £8.8million. Devon County Council has received a grant of £8.5m from the South West RDA to develop the infrastructure of the Science Park e.g. roads and utilities on the park site itself. None of this money is at risk.
In May 2010, East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council, Devon County Council, the Met Office and the University of Exeter formally incorporated the Exeter Science Park Company under the Chairmanship of Professor Sir William Wakeham.
The Science Park Company is fully committed to creating a science based community enjoying strong connections to the Met Office, the University and Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry. The partners have all committed a further £3m investment. None of this investment is at risk. The company will provide the initial capital investment for the first science based buildings on the site.
Representatives from the Science Park Company expressed the following:
Alan Douglas, representing the Met Office, as Chair of the Science Park Company Infrastructure Committee, said: ‘We have known about the review of Junction 29 for some time and the most recent advice that has been given is that the development of the infrastructure will be proceeding as expected.’
Richard Ball, Head of Economy and Tourism at the City Council said: ‘We were bemused to see the article in yesterday’s Echo. We are actively developing the science Park and are confident that work will begin on site soon. We are about to start the search for a joint venture partner to take the project forward once phase 1 is underway.’
Sean Fielding, Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Exeter, said: ‘We are recruiting over 100 new scientists and the Science Park is a key part of the University’s major plans for science investment.’
21/06/10: Exeter Science Park Company invites suitably experienced organisations to tender for the corporate design for Exeter Science Park
The brief is to create a logo and corporate design for the Exeter Science Park Company and a marketing manual of corporate design elements. The deadline for submissions is Monday 5th July, 17:00.
Further details can be found on the corporate design brief (
22kb).
16/03/10: Exeter Science Park roads approved
Work on improving roads around the proposed Exeter Science Park development can begin after a planning agreement was reached.
Devon County Council has won the go ahead to carry on with £18m of infrastructure works near junction 29 of the M5.
This includes a number of improvements at the junction, including a new traffic signal junction with the A30, additional lanes on the north and southbound slip roads, and bus lanes on the A30 to the motorway junction.
Another £5.5m is being invested by the county council on major new transport links between Exeter and a number of big developments to the east of the city, which includes a highway network for the Science Park and a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the M5 to connect to the Exeter cycle network.
19/02/10: Recruitment for a Business Development Manager
Please note that the deadline for applications has now passed.
We are looking for an exceptional Business Development Manager to spearhead professional marketing and business development for the Exeter Science Park Company. The ideal candidate will be qualified to at least degree level in a science based discipline and have experience of working with early stage technology or knowledge-based businesses. A proven track record of leading in marketing and business development along with income generation is required.
For further information and details of how to apply for this position please download the vacancy advert ( 22kb).
09/02/10: Exeter hosts senior government figures
The University played host to visits from five senior government figures on Friday 5 February.
The visits were part of the Cabinet's trip to Exeter.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Miliband gave a lecture to students and staff at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies. Minister for Communities and Local Government John Denham had a tour of the Innovation Centre and joined a round table discussion on the Science Park with representatives from Devon County Council, East Devon District Council, the University and the South West Regional Development Agency (pictured below left to right, Ian Thompson SWRDA; Sean Fielding, University of Exeter; Karime Hassan, East Devon District Council; Sir Harry Studholme, Chair of the SW RDA, Robin Jackson, Innovation Centre; Ian Piper SWRDA; and Ian Harrison, Devon County Council).
The Exeter Science Park fly-through video.
The new Redhayes bridge from the air.
The Science Park site in August 2011, showing proximity to the A30 and M5. (Image credit: Still Imaging.)