The legal process to reopen Dryden Road in Exeter to two-way traffic is set to begin, following a decision by Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee on Monday 13 July.
Councillors agreed to advertise a Traffic Regulation Order to revoke the current prohibition of motor vehicles on Dryden Road and extend the 20mph zone.
Once advertised, the order will be subject to a 28-day consultation. If no objections are received, it can be formally approved and work to reopen the road can begin.
Councillors voted not to proceed with the Cycle Streets proposal recommended in the report. They instead agreed to develop traffic calming and safer walking and cycling measures for Dryden Road.
The decision gives the council a clear route towards reopening the road while shaping future proposals around the feedback received through the consultation.
No final construction scheme has been approved at this stage, but further work will now be carried out to improve accessibility for everyone using the road.
The consultation received more than 3,000 responses, covering access for vehicles, road safety, walking and cycling, traffic on nearby streets and value for money.
Officers will now develop more detailed proposals, which will brought back to the committee for consideration.
Budget for delivering the scheme will need to be confirmed by the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority as part of its capital programme approval this autumn.
Councillor Michael Mitchell, Chair of Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee, said:
“This is a positive step forward for Dryden Road, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to respond to the consultation and to those who spoke at the meeting. Your contributions were greatly valued.
“The committee’s decision means we can start the legal process to reopen the road, while developing measures to ensure Dryden Road remains safe for everyone to use. .
“There is still work to do before any physical changes are made, but we now have a clear and practical way forward.
“Our aim is to reflect the concerns raised in the public consultation and deliver a solution that works for Dryden Road and the surrounding streets.”
The Traffic Regulation Order will be advertised in due course. People will then have 28 days to comment.
Further details of the proposed traffic calming and walking and cycling measures will be developed and shared as the work moves forward.