Pinhoe Road and Honiton Road Bus Corridors Improvements and Crossings

Exeter Central Bus Corridor (Honiton Road and Heavitree Road Corridor)

The Exeter Central Bus Corridor is approximately 3km in length between Paris Street Roundabout and the Middlemoor Roundabout, predominantly along Heavitree Road and Honiton Road

This bus corridor regularly experiences congestion due to the demand for vehicle movements exceeding the limited road space available. These proposals aim to improve priority and journey times for buses as well as address road safety difficulties for people walking and cycling on busy routes.

We are asking for your thoughts on the following proposals through the consultation process:

• Introduction of bus priority pre-signals at the end of the Heavitree Road bus lane. At this location, buses are delayed waiting for gaps in the traffic to turn into Barrack Road, with up to 9 buses per hour making this movement. Under this proposal, when a bus approaches, general outbound traffic would be signalled to stop in coordination with the junction signal control. Thereby creating an opening in the traffic for the bus to proceed more easily by reducing the conflict between buses moving into the right turn lane and vehicles moving into the left turn and straight on lane.

• Relocation of the existing bus stop at Livery Dole, which would merge this stop with the one near Grendon Road. This change is required to enable space for the bus priority signals at the end of the Heavitree Road bus lane and reduce loss of parking.
• Provision of an additional northbound lane and bus lane on Barrack Road. This proposal would directly benefit nine buses per hour that make the left turn from Barrack Road to Heavitree Road. The additional lane would be created by removing the eastern footway (between Heavitree Road and Magdalen Road junctions) and the uncontrolled crossing point on the Heavitree Road and Barrack Road junction. The western footway and signalised crossing will be maintained.

• Changes to bus lane operational times for Honiton Road and Fore Street:
  • Honiton Road Inbound – Hill Barton Road Overbridge to Ringswell Avenue: Change to Monday to Saturday 7am to 10am (extension of current hours which are Monday to Friday 8am to 9:15am).
  • Fore Street Inbound – Butts Road to Church Street: Change to (extension of current hours which are Monday to Friday 8am to 9:30am and 4pm to 6:30pm):
    • Option 1: Monday to Saturday 7am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm
    • Option 2: Monday to Saturday 7am to 7pm

To complement the above proposals a range of smart technology measures are also planned:

• Bus priority technology designed to make traffic flow smoother. This helps buses by making the green traffic signal last longer, so they can cross the stop line without waiting for the next cycle. This technology can also be set up to reduce waiting times for buses stuck at stop lines, ensuring minimal disruption and delays to other users.
• Adaptive traffic control solutions using CCTV cameras to monitor both junctions and corridor operations. This would allow the Council to track how long it takes vehicles to travel through these areas, coordinate traffic signals, and use technology upgrades to give buses priority along a route or corridor. In addition, several traffic corridors will benefit from the Moving Traffic Enforcement policy that is currently awaiting approval from the Department for Transport (DfT). If the policy is approved, Devon County Council will have the power to fine drivers for traffic offences, using the cameras installed along the corridors to help with enforcement.
• Variable Message Signs (VMS) would be improved as a part of the BSIP in the Central Bus Corridor Route. These signs would be upgraded to inform drivers about real-time traffic conditions, journey times for the corridor, and congestion data from the Urban Traffic Control system. The aim is to encourage drivers to reroute during busy periods, reducing traffic and congestion on the corridor.

There are some additional improvements suggested that could support the development of the Central Bus Corridor improvements. These are considered ‘quick fixes’ and can be added to the programme if there is enough funding available.

• Improvements to the North Street approach onto Fore Street junction, to aid buses turning right.
• Relocation of the loading bay on Fore Street to allow vehicles to pass traffic that is waiting to enter the Tesco Express Garage.
• Renewal and improvement of the bus lane road markings on Honiton Road
• Improvement of the bus stop infrastructure on the Central Bus Corridor, including upgrades to shelters and real-time bus information.

Journey Time Benefits:

This project aims to significantly improve bus journey times with the introduction of technology measures and infrastructure. For the Exeter Central Bus Corridor, there is potential for an approximate four-minute journey time saving per bus.

Exeter Eastern Bus Corridor (Pinhoe Road Corridor)

The Exeter Eastern Corridor is approximately 3.4km in length between Pinhoe Sainsburys and the City Centre (Sidwell Street), predominantly along Pinhoe Road (the B3212).

This is a key transport corridor into the city centre serving the suburbs of Whipton, Pinhoe and the eastern urban side of the city. The proposal is to upgrade the route to an ‘Intelligent Corridor’ through system upgrades and installation of various technology solutions.

We are asking for your thoughts on the following proposals through the consultation process:

• Changes to bus lane operation times for:
  • Tarbet Avenue to St Marks Avenue, change to Monday to Saturday 7am to 10am (extension of current hours which are Monday to Friday 8am to 9:30am).
  • Whipton Community Hall to Widgery Road, change to Monday to Saturday 7am to 10am (extension of current hours which are Monday to Friday 8am to 9:30am).

These upgrades are expected to help decrease bus journey times throughout peak and off-peak hours.

To complement the above proposals, a range of smart technology measures are also planned.

• Adaptive traffic control solutions including using CCTV cameras to monitor both junctions and corridor operations. This is also known as Urban Traffic Control (UTC). This would allow the Council to track how long it takes vehicles to travel through these areas, coordinate traffic signals, and use technology upgrades to give buses priority along a route or corridor. In addition, several traffic corridors will benefit from the Moving Traffic Enforcement policy that is currently awaiting approval from the Department for Transport (DfT). If the policy is approved, Devon County Council will have the power to fine drivers for traffic offences, using the cameras installed along the corridors to help with enforcement.
• Variable Message Signs (VMS) would be improved as a part of the BSIP in the Eastern Bus Corridor Route. These signs would be upgraded to inform drivers about real-time traffic conditions, journey times for the corridor, and congestion data from the UTC system. The aim is to encourage drivers to reroute during busy periods, reducing traffic and congestion on the corridor.
• Improving signal-controlled sites with bus priority technology to extend green signals for buses and decrease waiting times.
• Improvements have already been made to the lighting along this corridor.

Journey Time Benefits:

This scheme aims to improve priority and journey times for buses as well as address road safety difficulties for people walking and cycling on busy routes. For the Exeter Eastern Bus Corridor, there is potential for an approximate four-minute journey time saving per bus, with up to eight services per hour in each direction across four routes. This scheme is intended to help deliver a 27% reduction in bus journey times on this corridor.

Honiton Road Active Travel Crossing

Two active travel crossings will be introduced on the BSIP corridors. The crossings are situated at Polsloe Bridge and at Honiton Road (near Sweetbrier Lane and Rifford Road). The crossings will provide improved pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities and will link up elements of the E12 cycle route, which links Polsloe Bridge to Marsh Barton Station. The soon to be constructed Rifford Road two-way cycle route forms a key part of this route.

For Honiton Road the existing signalised ‘toucan’ crossing on Honiton Road will be changed to a ‘sparrow’ crossing, providing a segregated pedestrian and cycle crossing space. The crossing will have minimal impact on bus journey times because they will operate in the same signal phase as the existing crossing.

The below measures would be implemented to support the crossing upgrade:

• A shared-use pathway, achieved by widening the existing footway to 4.5m. There is potential to impact one tree in an area to the north, which we would mitigate by investigating a no-dig paving solution for this improvement.
• Tactile hazard warning surfaces to be installed at intersections with other existing walkways.
• Existing traffic signal posts to be moved back to align with the new crossing layout.
• New edging to be installed at the back of the proposed widening of the existing footway along Sweetbriar Lane and Honiton Road on either side of the crossing.
• Approximately 1.2m of Stratton Court to be reclaimed for a segregated pedestrian walkway in advance of the proposed sparrow crossing.

This proposal aligns with Local Transport Note 1/20 principles, as set out by central government, treating cycles as vehicles, and separating them from pedestrians at crossings and junctions. The aim is to create a safer and more intuitive route for pedestrians and cyclists through the Honiton Road, Rifford Road and Sweetbriar Lane Junction.

Pinhoe Road Active Travel Crossing Option 1

This scheme aims to create a safer and more accessible crossing route for pedestrians and cyclists moving between Hamlin Lane and the path running north-south from The Queens Head pub to Beacon Avenue. The area faces challenges and limitations, mainly due to the narrow carriageway under the bridge. This creates difficulties for all modes of transportation, especially people walking and wheeling, with narrow footways and informal crossings from various locations.

There are currently no crossing facilities provided for cyclists, across Pinhoe Road in the vicinity of Polsloe Bridge. Cyclists either need to dismount and walk to one of the existing pedestrian-only crossings, or cross into the road and cycle with normal traffic through the junction.

There are two options for consideration during the consultation process. This is Option 1.

Option 1 proposes to introduce a toucan crossing that runs diagonally across Pinhoe Road, perpendicular to Polsloe Bridge. This design enables users to navigate both the bridge and the road in a single movement.

We are inviting comments on the following proposal as part of the consultation:

• Installation of a diagonal 3.2m wide toucan crossing on Pinhoe Road.
• New footway construction on Hamlin Lane to create a shared-use space as well as a two-way segregated cycle path connecting to the car park of Hamlin Lane Playing Fields. The shared-use space would avoid potential conflict issues around the Hamlin Lane crossing and would reduce demand on the existing footways under the bridge.

Depending on the consultation outcome, the following measures may need to be implemented to support the chosen scheme:

• Widening of the existing footway into the Queens Head pub car park subject to the purchase of land to create a 3.5m wide shared-use path.
• Realignment of the existing boundary wall in front of The Queens Head pub.

This option would keep people walking, wheeling and cycling on the desired path for the E12 route. It also provides a more comfortable crossing option for people walking or wheeling than using the existing two-stage pedestrian crossing by Beacon Lane.

Pinhoe Road Active Travel Crossing Option 2

This scheme aims to create a safer and more accessible crossing route for pedestrians and cyclists moving between Hamlin Lane and the path running north-south from The Queens Head pub to Beacon Avenue. The area faces challenges and limitations, mainly due to the narrow carriageway under the bridge. This creates difficulties for all modes of transportation, especially people walking and wheeling, with narrow footways and informal crossings from various locations.

There are currently no crossing facilities provided for cyclists, across Pinhoe Road in the vicinity of Polsloe Bridge. Cyclists either need to dismount and walk to one of the existing pedestrian-only crossings, or cross into the road and cycle with normal traffic through the junction.

There are two options for consideration during the consultation process. This is Option 2. 

Option 2 proposes a solution within the road infrastructure to support people cycling along the E12 route by introducing a new toucan crossing east of Polsloe Bridge, and cycle priority access at Hamlin Lane / Pinhoe Road junction.

We are inviting comments on the following proposal as part of the consultation:

• Creation of a new 3.2m wide toucan crossing to assist cyclists crossing Pinhoe Road and accessing the carriageway.
• Widening of the existing footway on the northern and southern sides of Pinhoe Road to provide a 3m wide shared-use path, which could be used by people walking and cycling.
• Footway construction on the south side of Pinhoe Road to provide a space for cyclists to safely transition from the shared path to the carriageway.

The additional additional traffic signals required for the new toucan crossing would be in time with the signals at the Beacon Lane junction, which would ensure minimal impact on the proposed bus improvement schemes. Depending on the consultation outcome, the following measures may need to be implemented to support the chosen scheme:

• Advanced stop line on Pinhoe Road for cyclists travelling westbound. This would help increase driver awareness of cyclists as well as provide a space for cyclists to filter in front of the regular traffic.
• Staggered advanced stop line on Hamlin Lane to allow an early release for cyclists ahead of the traffic. This would enable cyclists to pull away and enter the junction without immediate concerns about other traffic from Hamlin Lane. This would help boost cyclist confidence in using this route as a more accessible option.