Controversial cycling and walking scheme scrapped
An 18-month trial in parts of Exeter to boost active travel was today cut short, following local opposition
Last updated 3rd Jun 2024
There's been a victory for drivers today, as Devon's first major trial aimed at boost walking and cycling was scrapped.
The controversial 'low traffic neighbourhood' in Exeter only allowed buses and taxis to use certain routes - which a study showed has caused congestion elsewhere on boundary roads.
Ahead of today's council meeting, campaigners staged a demo to show the level of opposition with almost 7,000 names submitted on petitions - with 9 in 10 respondents opposing the trial, which started in August 2023.
Devon County Council officers reflected on a study which showed an overall 'negative impact', with longer journey times and difficulty accessing existing shops, services or schools.
It was recommended ÂŁ250,000 was spent removing the scheme and on additional 'active travel' activities in the area instead - with the meeting hearing criticism of existing public transport.
Ahead of the meeting, 70 Exeter researchers and educators published an open letter warning that traffic problems are only getting worse and urged the committee to rely on what they called 'sound evidence” not just public pressure.
The letter added that Devon was on course to miss its climate change emissions targets, after declaring a climate emergency - with the committee's chair today voicing concerns about the growing levels of inactivity in young people and the wider population.
Supporters of the active travel scheme - including one young person - highlighted feeling 'safer' during the trial, with impassioned pleas from both sides of the increasingly polarised debate.
Today's decision means the trial will come to an end 'as soon as is practicable' and chair Cllr Carol Whitton said she wanted to focus on future schemes to end 'rat running' and promote a more widely-supported active travel plan. The scheme will partially remain in place until the end of the school Summer term to minimise disruption.
The reports prepared ahead of today's meeting can be found here
This is a regrettable U-turn by the councils, leaving us going backwards” a spokesperson for the Exeter Cycling Campaign said.
"The councils have been promising they will work to tackle air pollution, traffic jams and getting people moving. However, this about-turn on the Active Streets Trial makes those promises sound rather hollow."
The campaign expressed their concern at the councils’ lack of a seeming Plan B.
"There's been nothing tabled by the Councils for improvements to the trial or for what replaces it once it’s removed,” the spokesperson added
"Surely, it would have been smarter to learn from the good bits of the Active Streets Trial and improve it to address the concerns people raised - letting carers and blue badge users through the bus gates - It shouldn’t require bravery to cycle to school.”
"It's time for the councils to take back control of the congestion and safety problems and urgently come up with alternative plans to deal with Exeter's challenges.
"We need prompt action, not just a slide back to the car dominated streets we’ve suffered for too long. People want to live in places where it’s safe enough for children to live and move freely."