Battle goes on over road closed to drivers

Dryden Road in Exeter is currently closed to drivers apart from buses

A highly controversial road closure will be the subject of a public consultation, it has been decided.

Dryden Road in Exeter was closed to motorists temporarily in June 2020 and then permanently in 2022, to try to reduce traffic and create a safer cycling route.

Campaigners against the closure said the move had increased congestion and pollution for people living nearby but cyclist groups said safety was paramount and the road should remain closed to cars.

The Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) – made up of Devon County Council and Exeter City Council members – voted for a two-month consultation on how to address traffic concerns and offer safe cycling routes.

The campaigners against the road closure handed in a petition with more than 2,000 signatures.

During the meeting Neil Martin, who has campaigned to have the road reopened, said the closure had "divided communities" and said Dryden Road was easily wide enough to allow space for cars and a cycle lane.

He said none of the councillors making the decision had been involved in the original decision in June 2020 and asked them to "leave all past mistakes behind".

James Diamond, from the Exeter Cycling Campaign, said the section of Dryden Road being debated was an essential part of the E9 cycle route that goes between the city centre and Newcourt.

He said keeping the road closed to drivers was the safest option and asked councillors to consider carefully what they would be hoping to achieve by reopening the road.

Councillors agreed to carry out a public consultation "that will address local traffic concerns while still offering safe, attractive routes for people walking and cycling on Dryden Road and Bovemoors Lane and surrounding area".

The discussion over the road closure follows the local authority U-turn previously on the low traffic neighbourhood scheme in Exeter.