Contractors Accommodation in Exeter

There is a lot of on-going construction sites in and around Exeter. Some of the major projects include:

Cranbrook New Town
The ongoing build-out of Cranbrook expands housing supply and diversifies local housing options, easing pressure on Exeter’s private rental market and supporting workforce retention. New neighbourhoods bring demand for shops, schools and health services, creating steady local employment in retail, education and care while generating council tax and business rates revenue. Construction activity sustains jobs and local suppliers in the short term, and longer-term population growth stimulates the regional economy through increased consumer spending and commuter flows.

Marsh Barton Regeneration
Upgrades and new commercial development at Marsh Barton increase employment space for manufacturing, logistics and light industry, strengthening Exeter’s role as a business and employment hub. The project is expected to create skilled and operational jobs, boost business-to-business demand for local contractors and suppliers, and expand opportunities for apprenticeships and training. Enhanced access and modern facilities also attract investment, but increased freight and commuter traffic will shift transport patterns and require complementary infrastructure and mitigation measures.

Exeter Science Park expansion
Additional labs, incubation space and commercial units attract tech and life-science firms, supporting higher‑value job creation and encouraging spin‑outs and university–industry collaboration. Concentration of knowledge-intensive businesses raises demand for professional services, boosts local wages and helps diversify the regional economic base beyond retail and tourism. The cluster effect strengthens innovation capacity, draws talent to the area, and stimulates ancillary spending in hospitality, housing and transport.

University of Exeter campus development and research facilities
New campus buildings and research facilities increase student and academic capacity, generating construction jobs and sustained demand for local goods and services from staff and students. Enhanced research capability promotes higher‑skilled employment, partnerships with local firms, and knowledge transfer that can lead to business formation and upskilling opportunities. Expanded campus amenities and public-facing facilities enrich cultural and educational offerings for residents while intensifying pressure on housing demand and local public services.

Explore the diverse transport options available in Exeter, from efficient public transportation systems to convenient road networks. Whether you're commuting to work or exploring the city, this section will give you an overall look at the available transportation systems.

Public Transit System
- Rail (stations & operators) - Exeter is served by two main stations, Exeter St Davids (principal long‑distance hub) and Exeter Central (city‑centre stop), plus smaller stations such as St James Park, Exeter St Thomas, Digby & Sowton and Marsh Barton; services are provided by national operators (notably Great Western Railway and CrossCountry) with direct and frequent trains to London Paddington, Bristol, Plymouth/Cornwall, the South West coast, and regional centres.
- Local rail lines - Several local branch lines serve the area: the Riviera Line (Exeter–Paignton), the Avocet Line (Exeter–Exmouth), the Tarka Line (Exeter–Barnstaple) and the Dartmoor Line (Exeter–Okehampton), offering commuter and leisure connections around Devon.
- Bus (urban & suburban) - Urban and suburban services are mainly run by Stagecoach South West and smaller local operators, providing frequent city routes, connections to suburbs and nearby towns, university services, and inter‑urban links.
- Park & Ride - Multiple Park & Ride sites on the outskirts (serving bus feeds into the city centre) reduce central traffic and provide regular, high‑frequency shuttle services into Exeter.
- Coaches & long‑distance buses - National coach services stop at Exeter (central coach stops), providing budget long‑distance connections to London and other cities; regional inter‑urban bus routes link to towns across Devon and Cornwall.
- Taxis & private hire - A mix of licensed taxis and private‑hire/ride‑hailing services operate across Exeter for on‑demand local travel.
- River & seasonal ferry services - The Exe estuary has pedestrian/cycle riverside routes and seasonal ferry/boat services connecting towns on the estuary (useful for leisure and some local links).

Major Highways
- M5 - Main motorway linking Exeter north‑east to Bristol, the Midlands and beyond, and south‑west via junctions to Devon and Cornwall.
- A30 - Primary east–west trunk route out of the Exeter area toward Cornwall and parts of the South West.
- A38 - Dual carriageway link running southwest toward Plymouth and northeast toward the Midlands (via connections), offering an alternative trunk route to the M5 in places.
- A377 - Radial route from Exeter northwest toward Okehampton and mid‑Devon towns.
- A376 - Road linking Exeter with Exmouth and the southern side of the Exe estuary.
- A379 - Coastal/estuary route serving Topsham, Starcross and the Exe estuary shoreline, providing local and scenic connections.

Cycling Infrastructure
- Cycle lanes & routes - Exeter has an extensive cycling network made up of on‑road cycle lanes, segregated and shared‑use paths and signed quiet routes, anchored by traffic‑free routes such as the Exe Estuary Trail (popular commuter and leisure corridor), plus local cycle‑parking, wayfinding and promoted routes under the city’s walking & cycling strategies and the National Cycle Network.

Recent and Upcoming Improvements
- Marsh Barton station (recent) - A new station serving the large Marsh Barton employment area has been delivered in recent years to improve rail access for commuters and reduce road traffic.
- Dartmoor/Okehampton line reinstatement (recent) - The reopening of the Dartmoor (Okehampton) line to regular passenger services restored a regional rail link and provided new commuting and leisure journeys from Exeter.
- Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) projects (planned/delivering) - A series of schemes identified in Exeter’s LCWIP are being delivered or planned to expand segregated cycleways, improve pedestrian crossings and enhance safe active‑travel links into the city centre and to employment/education sites.
- Bus priority, Park & Ride and fleet upgrades (planned/delivering) - Investment programmes (including funding from national/local sustainable‑travel pots) are being used to deliver bus priority measures, upgraded park & ride facilities and newer lower‑emission buses to improve bus reliability and air quality.
- Devon Metro / local rail enhancement proposals (planned) - Ongoing proposals and business cases aim to increase local rail frequencies, open or improve additional stops and better integrate rail with buses and active travel to create a more connected regional “metro” style network.
- Station and interchange improvements (planned/ongoing) - Phased improvements to stations, passenger facilities and interchanges (to improve accessibility, cycling/walk links and bus‑rail interchange) are being promoted by rail industry partners and local authorities to enhance the overall travel experience.

Exeter, with its rich history and growing sectors in education, healthcare, and tech, is also home to many construction and infrastructure projects. Contractors working in Exeter need accommodation that offers easy access to key work zones, whether for short-term or long-term projects.

Comfy Workers provides serviced contractor accommodation in Exeter, with properties strategically located near business districts, transport links, and key work areas. Whether your team is staying for a week, a month, or an extended period, our self-catering accommodation options offer comfort, flexibility, and convenience for all types of projects.