Lengthy discussion about a road closure in Exeter, which has seen a route made ‘cycle only’ since the Covid pandemic, has resulted in the council approving a consultation on it being potentially reopened.
Dryden Road was made a ‘cycles only’ route during the pandemic, the council opting to install bollards to prevent other traffic accessing the route and “helping to create a safer environment for people cycling”.
The closure was made permanent in 2022, Devon County Council stating the move aimed to maintain lower traffic levels in the area and improve the safety and environment for people cycling.
However, sections of the community have vocally opposed the closure with protests and online discussion, a petition urging the reopening of Dryden Road attracting around 2,500 signatures.
“We believe there exists an opportunity to provide safe alternative options to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles,” the petition’s creator Helen Montgomery said.
Exeter road closure (Image Credit: Ian Frankum/Facebook)
“The current restrictions have led to displaced traffic on nearby residential roads most of which are narrower than Dryden Road and onto already busy and congested bus routes. Local residents believe this has created unsafe and unhealthy walking routes especially to nearby schools and nurseries.”
The council accepted “concerns were raised about the impact of diverted traffic on nearby roads” and implemented a review, something which has now led to a consultation.
Giving residents three options, the council says any change will look to deliver on “supporting safe, accessible and attractive walking and cycling routes along Dryden Road, Bovemoors Lane and the E9 corridor”.
It also must, the council said, “respond to local concerns by reviewing traffic impacts and exploring balanced solutions”. To that context the local authority has launched a consultation until 12pm on 5 April 2026.
The first proposed option would install a bus gate and allow access to “authorised vehicles” such as taxis, waste collection and the emergency services. The closure to other motorists would be ANPR camera enforced and the speed limit would be reduced to 20mph.
The second proposed option would involve the same lower speed limit, one-way traffic allowed, and a contraflow cycleway installed.
The third option, most popular with those who have campaigned for the route to be reopened, involves two-way traffic being restored and two-way painted cycle lanes being installed.
Devon County Council noted that option one would be the cheapest, while the cost of option three would be “high” (expected to be somewhere between £200,000 and £1m).
In a further option, titled 3b, the council suggested reopening the road and keeping on-street parking. In other words, reopening the road without the proposed cycling infrastructure, something the council admitted would mean “poor” access for those on bikes.
“Provision suitable for few people and will exclude most potential users and/or have safety concerns,” the local authority admitted.
Local campaigner Ian Frankum, who has called for the reopening of Dryden Road for several years, called the consultation “the culmination of a lot of hard work”.
“We have said all along there is room for all on this wide arterial road, and only Option Three provides that,” he added.
The Exeter Cycling Campaign told Devon Live it encouraged people to make their voices heard during the consultation period but stressed it would “see the details of the consultation” before sharing a campaign view.
“Our focus will be on safety and connection, solving issues raised by stakeholders and good value for money for hard-won active travel funding,” the campaign said.