Independent, investigative, in the public interest  Upgrade to paid

Peter Cleasby

Peter Cleasby was a regular contributor to Exeter Observer for six and a half years from its April 2019 launch, becoming its transport correspondent in July 2022.

He was previously a civil servant who worked largely in policy development and business management across several government departments, ending up as a deputy director in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

He subsequently freelanced as a policy, management and governance consultant and became a trustee of several national and local charities.

He is also a long-standing member of Exeter Green Party.

Stories by Peter Cleasby

Exeter Cathedral and Quay car park top deck

Coronavirus halts decision to spend £3.9 million on car park repairs and upgrade

Exeter City Council spending plans will be revisited in June at same time as Net Zero Exeter carbon reduction plan is discussed by Executive.

Exeter City Futures Blueprint for a Carbon Neutral Exeter by 2030 graphic

Is Exeter finally responding to the climate emergency?

A surge of activity about action to combat climate change is taking place in Exeter, including the publication of a carbon neutral blueprint pending a ‘mobilisation summit’, but detail and evidence is still missing and community engagement is falling short of debate.

Exeter Paris Street construction site on which Roman remains were found

Echoes of Exeter’s Roman past reveal risks to city’s future vision

The unexpected discovery of Roman remains on Exeter’s bus station redevelopment site suggests significant risks may also exist for the adjacent Citypoint regeneration scheme.

Exeter net zero carbon housing pilot project in Chestnut Avenue in Wonford

Exeter net zero housing revolution takes root in Chestnut Avenue

Exeter City Council is taking exploratory steps from talking about a zero carbon future to delivering one with a pilot housing project in Wonford.

Exeter City Council accounts delayed by auditors Grant Thornton

Exeter & East Devon council accounts delayed by Grant Thornton’s “lack of staff resources”

Annual accounts for local government, including Exeter City Council, have been delayed by private sector firms failing to complete their work on time after cost-cutting government auditing reforms.

Country Bus G service to Exeter Quay

An integrated public transport service for Devon remains a distant aspiration

A change to Exeter’s G bus service operator has revealed the limits of Devon County Council’s approach to transport system integration.

Page 7