Exeter LTN: Council could suspend controversial scheme

Protesters gathered at Devon County Hall in October in Exeter

A highly controversial traffic management scheme could be suspended.

A report measuring the success of the Exeter Lower Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme found only two out of 10 indicators were performing well.

The Devon County Council scheme has seen some roads in the city closed off to cars to reduce traffic.

A council report found there was less traffic on some roads but far more traffic on some of the main roads surrounding the scheme.

A number of roads have been restricted as part of the scheme in Exeter

In her report summary, Meg Booth, director of climate change, environment and transport at Devon County Council, said: "There is a possibility that negative impacts could outweigh the benefits of the trial.

"Should there not be a significant improvement by the end of February 2024 and where it meets the tests of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, consideration should be given to the trial being suspended."

Councillors on the Exeter Highways Committee approved the trial in the Heavitree and Whipton areas in June, at a cost of £190,000.

The committee will meet on 23 January to discuss the trial and the public's resistance to it, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting service.

Buses are allowed to go along roads where cars are not allowed

Ian Frankum, who has campaigned against the scheme, said: "Huge increases in traffic, and probably pollution, on arterial roads - some by as much as 20% - is catastrophic and caused huge disruption for people across the city.

"We just hope now our politicians are brave enough to follow the data and community outcry and make the right decisions and suspend the trial.

"Let's focus on what we can do together to improve our streets rather than continue with a trial that has failed dismally."

The report said the largest increases in traffic was on Honiton Road which saw an extra 2,200 vehicles over a 12-hour period and Polsloe Road which saw an extra 1,300 vehicles.

It found that out of 10 indicators measuring the progress of the scheme, only two were performing well - those for traffic on residential roads and the number of cycling trips.

Ian Martin, a supporter of the scheme, said it would be "premature" to abandon the trial part of the way through.

Three barriers and two bus gates have been installed in Heavitree and Whipton since the scheme started in August, along with changes to parking restrictions on Ladysmith Road.

The gates allow buses, taxis and private hire vehicles through, along with emergency services and bin lorries.

Five petitions have been submitted during the trial, with a total of more than 4,500 signatures.

A spokesman for the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee, which is made up of Devon County and Exeter City councillors, said the committee would consider the report at its meeting next week.