Campaigners worry 'active trial' is being skewed by a lack of enforcement
One opponent today threw a sign in frustration at the ongoing trial
Last updated 20th Feb 2024
Campaigners trying to enforce Exeter's controversial Low Traffic Neighbourhood trial say they stopped 50 cars in one hour this morning from flouting the rules.
They plan to keep a prescence during morning and late afternoons all this week to highlight the restrictions - which is now six months into its 18-month trial.
Some residents have voiced their opposition to the scheme, which also divided opinion when it first started (see video report below)
A Devon County Council spokesperson said: “We are continuing discussions with Devon and Cornwall Police regarding how best to address enforcement issues in the local area.
"In the meantime we would ask that people act with respect and courtesy towards each other so that we can ensure safety for all road users.”
Campaigners say they took the action to demand that Devon County Council and the police enforce the restrictions at the bus gates at Ladysmith Road and Whipton Lane in the Heavitree and Whipton Active Streets Trial.
Campaigners claim a cyclist mother and her baby were recently hit by a car in the ‘crush of drivers’ ignoring the bus gate while collecting her child from Ladysmith School recently.
Supporters of the trial say it makes the streets cleaner and safer, but opponents believe it is making journeys longer and increases congestion and pollution on roads around the perimeter of the area.
Monday’s ‘human-bollard’ action was supported by the national group Safe Streets Now that campaigns against road deaths and injuries. Exeter spokesman Caspar Hughes said the event had been a success, and would continue all week at the beginning and end of the school day.
He said: “There was a lot of support, lots of supportive parents and even a supportive taxi driver who stopped to thank us.
“There were also some inevitable angry residents and parents as well.
“But what was really lovely was watching kids on their scooters going to school. It needs to be safe for them to do that, and the best way to make it safe is to remove the drivers from the roads outside.”
Mr Hughes said many local drivers were ignoring the trial and going through the bus gates regardless.
“We have seen far too little action from the authorities, who appear to be blaming each other for the failure to enforce the bus gates,” he said.
“Our demand is that Devon and Cornwall Police work with Devon County Council to provide the resources to police the bus gates, using video evidence and random but frequent patrols.
“The council has decided on putting this scheme in, and the police know about it and should be enforcing it. It shouldn’t be for a group of local parents and residents to police it.”