EDDC's executive agreed there should be two strategic road and rail links to Exeter and East Devon, given the predicted increase in population and economy.

The executive supported calls for the dualling of the A303 road as another way to encourage visitors into the area.

Councillor Giles said: "Two loops on that line would enable a half-hour service. This is crunch time, the Department of Transport is making a decision on the loops in November, and it would be helpful if our local MPs lobbied for this," he said.

"We need to do everything we can in the next two months," he said.

Councillor Ann Liverton said: "There are very few who don't need to use a car to travel around the area," she said.

"There are a lot of places in Devon that are unreachable without a car.