Local councillors and highways officers met at a workshop this week to look at possible designs for Dryden Road, Exeter, including measures to slow traffic and improve facilities for walking and cycling.
This work is an essential stage of the process to allow the current restriction on motor vehicles to be removed. 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.
Councillors have been told that the Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), the legal orders needed to make changes to the road, cannot be advertised for public comment until a scheme plan has been prepared to show how the road would look and operate in future.
This will give local people a clear picture of what is being proposed, intending to make the process stronger, fairer and less likely to be challenged legally.
However, that plan must first be considered by councillors on the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) before the statutory TRO consultations can begin.
If the scheme plan is supported by the committee, the County Council expects to then advertise the TROs and launch the 21-day consultation in October.
Councillor Michael Mitchell, Chair of Exeter HATOC, said:
“This week’s workshop with local councillors and highways officers was constructive, and the design work for Dryden Road is progressing well.
“We want a scheme that allows traffic to return but also slows vehicles and makes the road safer for people walking and cycling.
“Before the Traffic Regulation Orders can be advertised, people need to see the scheme plan and understand what is being proposed. That plan also needs to be considered by HATOC first.
“We know people are keen to have their say, which is why this step matters. It will help make sure that the TRO consultation is clear and fair, and that the process is less open to challenge.”
