Peter Cleasby is Exeter Observer’s transport correspondent.
After reading French and German at New College, Oxford he entered the civil service where he worked largely in policy development and business management across several departments, ending up as a deputy director in DEFRA.
On leaving the civil service, he freelanced as a policy, management and governance consultant and became a trustee of several national and local charities.
Exeter’s bus services remain a topic of criticism, but when buses fail to turn up it’s too simplistic to blame the bus company. An interview with Stagecoach South West managing director Peter Knight helps explain why.
Alphington worst represented ward as councillor attendance at public meetings varies widely across city
Consistent commitment to participation in democratic decision-making by some councillors in contrast with poor attendance rates of others.
Devon County Council social care cuts target homelessness services
£1.5 million homelessness prevention service funding cut will make situation worse for people who are homeless and at risk of homelessness and is likely to cost more than it saves.
Future of Devon bus services being decided behind closed doors
Devon County Council does not want the public to hear whether local service improvements are going according to plan.
Figures show Exeter Central station busier than Exeter St David’s
New figures show that 2.2 million people used Exeter Central railway station in the year to March 2022, making it the 155th busiest of 2,569 UK railway stations and (slightly) busier than Exeter St David’s.
Stagecoach escapes major sanctions over service failures
Traffic commissioner decides four days of free weekend travel in Exeter Plus ticket zone is sufficient penalty for poor performance despite public inquiry hearing severe criticism of company.
