Public meetings to discuss 'divisive' road scheme

The scheme will be in a residential part of the city

Controversial plans to restrict access on some roads in Exeter will be discussed at two public meetings.

The changes in the Heavitree and Whipton Active Streets Trial will affect about 16,000 homes.

The scheme aimed to significantly reduce traffic on residential streets by removing most "through traffic", Devon County Council said.

But residents and taxi drivers have described it as a "divisive issue".

Councillors on the Exeter Highways Committee approved the 18-month trial in June, at a cost of £190,000.

The council said it was designed to "create a safer and more attractive environment" for walking and cycling and all properties would remain accessible by car.

Angela Bovey Martin, who lives in the affected area, said: "Yes, we want life to be more pleasant and cleaner but they really haven't thought it through properly...

"It is going to cause all kinds of inconvenience."

She claimed that she and her neighbours knew nothing of consultation periods, which have passed, and that the closures meant she would, in fact, have to drive further.

"Instead of doing 20 miles a week to care for my mother I am going to be doing 30. Now, how is that decreasing pollution?" she said.

Martin Pearce, a Labour county councillor for the area, said: "This is a trial that's been brought forward in response to many consultations...

"It's really disappointing that not as many people had heard about this scheme as we would have hoped, but the number of responses, the thousands of responses we've had... all say that the status quo cannot continue."

He said that while some individuals may face longer car journeys, the aim was to reduce traffic overall in the area.

Authority representatives will answer questions from the public on Tuesday at Park Life Heavitree and on Wednesday at Whipton Community Hall between 16:00 BST to 19:00.

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