Watered down changes approved for Exeter bus lane

Some traders in Heavitree said they would have had to close if plans for a 12-hour bus lane were brought in

Proposals to change bus lane operating times on a main road into Exeter have been watered down and approved.

The original plans for a 12-hour bus lane prompted alarm among businesses on Fore Street in Heavitree, with critics saying it could cause problems forcing some traders to close.

The Highways and Traffic Orders Committee looked at revised proposals for the lane to operate from 07:00 to 10:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00, on Monday to Saturday.

Approving the plans, committee members also agreed to further reduce the operational times to Monday to Friday only.

Shops and businesses in Fore Street have put up signs opposing the bus lane plans

Restrictions were previously in place from Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 09:30 and 16:00 to 18:30.

That meant cars could park for limited periods outside shops, restaurants and a laundrette along the street.

Campaigners in favour of extending the operating times urged the committee, made up of members from Devon County Council and Exeter City Council, to look at other options, such as a 12-hour bus lane with exemptions for deliveries.

During the meeting, committee member Exeter City Council leader Phil Bialyk compared the bus lane plans to the controversial low traffic neighbourhood scheme in Heavitree which had to be abandoned.

He said: "How have we got here again? I've got one warring faction over there and one over here and we're trying to dodge the hand grenades."

'Disappointing but sensible'

Speaking after the meeting, cycling campaigner Edward Pickering said it was "one tiny step in the right direction".

He said: "It's not enough hours of a bus lane.

"There are still going to be traffic jams and there are still going to be thousands and thousand of people driving through Fore Street causing pollution and congestion."

Richard Barnes, owner of the laundrette on Fore Street, said he was "disappointed" the bus lane times had been extended but added: "On the whole, it was a sensible compromise."