County road chiefs have been accused of creating a "deliberate delay" to reopening a Covid-closed street to cars in Exeter. Devon County Council has refuted the claim, writes local democracy reporter Guy Henderson.
The Exeter highways and traffic orders committee (HATOC) has agreed to look again at Dryden Road, which has been closed to vehicles since the Covid lockdown in 2020, when it was designated a traffic-free route for cyclists and pedestrians.
Supporters say the closure made a big difference, improving safety and cutting pollution. Opponents say it simply moved traffic and fumes to other neighbouring streets, and created a risky rat-run through the nearby hospital grounds.
The decision to reopen the road was taken by HATOC in July. There will be a 20mph speed limit, and design work is under way to create a scheme that allows vehicles to return while adding traffic-calming measures to slow cars and protect pedestrians and cyclists.
The county council plans to present the final design to HATOC councillors, whose next meeting is on October 12. But people campaigning for the reopening say the process is taking too long.
Ian Frankum, who has spent years campaigning for the road to be opened to all users again, said the latest actions of county council officers showed "a worrying disregard" for the people of Wonford, hospital staff, visitors and councillors.
"This is no longer simply a case of kicking the can down the road," he said. "It is a deliberate delay that risks pushing any meaningful progress on reopening Dryden Road into 2027, despite a clear democratic mandate for action."
A recent public consultation found 73 per cent of respondents supported the reopening, and HATOC voted by eight votes to two to revoke the Traffic Regulation Order that closed the road. "The message from both the public and elected councillors could not have been clearer," said Mr Frankum.
Meanwhile, the Exeter Cycling Campaign has raised nearly £4,000 through a crowdfunding page to pay for specialist legal advice. In a statement online, it said the county council was planning to consult on removing the traffic filter on Dryden Road without measures to protect people cycling, despite advice from Active Travel England, the government's expert body, which said the proposal would create a "critical safety issue".
The statement continued: "Over many months we have made our case through the democratic process. We have attended meetings, submitted evidence and worked with councillors to find a safer solution. Despite these efforts, the proposal to remove the filter continues to move forward. We have therefore sought advice from a national law firm with a strong track record in road safety cases."
The county council says the budget for the physical changes to Dryden Road still needs to be confirmed by the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority during its capital programme approval this autumn. Local councillors and highways officers have discussed possible designs, including measures to slow traffic and improve facilities for walking and cycling. The proposals being considered include advisory cycle lanes, crossings and road humps.
"Officers are currently working through the detail to make sure the designs are safe, practical and offer value for money," said a spokesperson at County Hall.
Traffic Regulation Orders, which are needed to make changes to the road, cannot be advertised for public comment until a plan has been prepared to show how the road would look and operate in future.
County Council Accused of Delaying Dryden Road Reopening