Road layouts changed for cycling and walking
Published: 12 June 2020
Measures to boost walking and cycling in Exeter and support social distancing have been welcomed by the Leader of Exeter City Council.
Cllr Phil Bialyk said he supported the temporary one-way system that has been introduced in Magdalen Road.
The system has been put in by Devon County Council as part of its “pop-up” improvements which are being funded with an initial £338,000 from the government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund.
The new layout in Magdalen Road means it is now one-way between St Leonards Road and Denmark Road for vehicles heading towards Western Way (westbound) with a contraflow cycle lane (eastbound).
Temporary barriers are in place to create wider footpaths. This additional pedestrian space will also provide shoppers and waiting customers with more room for social distancing.
Cllr Bialyk said: “Not only does this new layout allow for social distancing as the city starts to recover, it also encourages people to move around by cycle or foot in a more sustainable way.”
The Magdalen Road changes form part of the new 4km E9 “quiet cycle route” from Newcourt/Pynes Hill to the city centre. It follows the completion of point closures at Wonford Road, Dryden Road and Ludwell Lane which were installed last weekend (Saturday 6 June).
Due to the wet weather, some of the planned road markings could not be implemented. In the interim, the start of the new contraflow cycle lane at the western end of Magdalen Road is segregated by a barrier. This will be removed when lining takes place and the temporary footway is further widened.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We’ve had some positive feedback from the initial improvements that were introduced at the weekend, and it’s encouraging to see our teams following up so quickly with more of these measures. We want to encourage more sustainable and healthy travel for residents while supporting local businesses.
“These changes to Magdalen Road provide a safer environment for shoppers, walkers and cyclists and help support local businesses by providing customers with extra space for social distancing. That will be vital as the country continues to ease its way out of lockdown.
“These improvements will also connect to the initial changes we implemented last weekend, to provide a cross-city route connecting the city centre, RD&E Hospital and employment and homes to the east of the city. Further changes will be introduced over the next few weeks as the roll-out of this programme continues.”
Other temporary measures which will be introduced in Exeter over the coming weeks include –
– A 3.5km quiet route from Monkerton/Whipton to the city centre through residential areas in Whipton and Heavitree connecting housing to major employment sites in the city centre, Sowton and Exeter Science Park. This will be developed by removing through traffic with point closures and / or one-ways on residential streets. A temporary crossing and temporary cycle route on Polsloe Road.
– Improved pedestrian and cycle access to the city centre via South Street, Fore Street and North Street, including widening of footways with temporary barriers on key pedestrian and public transport route to the city centre, including additional space around busy Cowick Street bus stops.
Improvements are also set to be introduced in Barnstaple, Bideford and Newton Abbot, while other market and coastal towns will have the opportunity to benefit from a share of funding.
Over 200 extra cycle parking spaces have been installed across the county, including new spaces in Exeter city centre, at the RD&E, Heavitree, Whipton, Topsham, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Teignmouth, Ivybridge, Barnstaple and Tavistock.
Devon will need to bid for a potential £1,351,000 later this summer for more permanent schemes, but schedules for this process are yet to be confirmed by Government.
The traffic calming measures are temporary for a period of up to 18 months. During this time traffic will be monitored and, in consultation with local residents, alterations may be removed if deemed ineffective or made permanent where considered successful.