Devon County Council cites ‘pushback’ from traders as schemes are scrapped.
“Coronavirus exposes council failure to deliver Exeter transport plans.”
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Exeter wants to make the streets of the city a bit more pleasant:
Improved cycling infrastructure for Exeter > interactive map – Vision Group for Sidmouth
Higher-density car-free neighbourhoods for Exeter – Vision Group for Sidmouth
Exeter Transport Strategy: slowly emerging… – Vision Group for Sidmouth
Exeter Transport Strategy > consultation now open – Vision Group for Sidmouth
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Just before lockdown, it introduced an ambitious plan, as covered by Radio Exe:
Exeter carbon neutral plan unveiled – Radio Exe
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And during and after lockdown, the County Council introduced several measures to deal with social distancing, pedestrians and traffic in Exeter:
New cycle lanes and wider pavements: ‘pop-ups’ for Devon – Vision Group for Sidmouth
New cycle lanes and wider pavements: priorities and funding – Vision Group for Sidmouth
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There have been two problems confronting the councils, however…
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Firstly, there is the fear of a repeat of the revolt which happened very expensively for the County Council over plans for Totnes:
And this sort of investment is not going to be risked again by the council:
Futures Forum: Traffic Management Plan for Sidmouth > starting with parking restrictions
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Secondly, there is the fear from shopkeepers that any ‘restrictions’ on traffic will hurt trade:
New cycle lanes and wider pavements: the problems – Vision Group for Sidmouth
And so plans to part-pedestrianise Topsham have been stopped:
Pedestrianisation plans for Topsham dropped following poll – Exeter City Council News
Although it does seem a little hasty, as one commentator puts it:
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The excellent local news website the Exeter Observer does some penetrating investigative journalism.
And as it points out, the city and county councils really do need to get a move on with doing something about Exeter’s traffic issues:
Coronavirus exposes council failure to deliver Exeter transport plans – Exeter Observer
Is the “Net Zero” Exeter plan fit for purpose? Part I: Exeter’s carbon footprint – Exeter Observer
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Martin Redfern has put together a very solid piece on how plans for Exeter itself have faced a ‘pushback’ from anxious traders:
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Council abandons temporary COVID-19 cycling and walking safety plans in Exeter city centre
Devon County Council cites “pushback” from traders as schemes on North Street, South Street, Fore Street and Cowick Street are scrapped. Meanwhile temporary changes in Topsham are dropped after “snap poll”.
In June Exeter Cycling Campaign conducted a community survey which received responses from more than 900 people in just ten days, 90% of whom were car owners.
96% of respondents were in favour of low traffic neighbourhoods, 95% said they would feel safer cycling in the city if separate bike paths were built, 69% wanted less motor traffic on residential streets and 55% supported the introduction of lower speed limits.
However a presentation by the county council’s Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment to Exeter’s Highways and Traffic Orders Committee on 22 July said that, alongside public support and a majority in favour, there was “pushback” from traders who were “typically less receptive to changes”.
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The day after the decision to drop the Topsham scheme was announced, the county council cabinet approved a £27 million increase on highways spending this year, making the “largest ever annual investment in Devon’s road network”.
It has since announced that the junction of North Street and South Street in Exeter city centre will be closed next week, not for the installation of temporary emergency active travel infrastructure, but to resurface the carriageway.