Highway construction work will be carried out on two of Exeter’s main bus corridors in order to deliver schemes that aim to improve bus priority and reliability.
The works (outlined below) form part of Devon’s Bus Service Improvement Plan proposals. The proposals have undergone public consultation and committee approval in 2024.
Construction information regarding each intervention can be found below.
Please note the dates and traffic management are subject to change, we will do our best to keep the information on this page up to date.
Temporary road side signs will be located on Pinhoe Road / Heavitree Fore Street / Heavitree North Street showing exact dates at least 7 days prior to the works commencing.
Updated: 29.04.25
Pinhoe Road Bus Lanes – 6 May and 7 May
Lining works to be carried out to improve the legibility and prominence of the inbound bus lanes on Pinhoe Road (between Whipton Community Hall and Widgery Road, and between Tarbet Avenue and St Marks Avenue). Signage will also be updated to reflect the new operation times (see table below).
| Bus Lane | Existing Operation Times | New Operation Times |
|---|---|---|
| Pinhoe Road Inbound – Whipton Community Hall to Widgery Road | Mon to Fri, 8am to 9:30am | Mon to Sat, 7am to 10am |
| Pinhoe Road Inbound – Tarbet Avenue to St Marks Avenue | Mon to Fri, 8am to 9:30am | Mon to Sat, 7am to 10am |
The works will be undertaken under night-time lane closures of the westbound traffic lane and bus lane which are anticipated from 6 May 2025 for an anticipated 2 nights. The lane closures will be in place between the hours of 19:00 and 06:00, and facilitated by temporary traffic lights. One section between Summer Lane and Beacon Lane, the other between Tarbet Avenue and St Marks Avenue. All other traffic is intended to operate as normal outside the working hours.
On street parking within the existing bus lane areas will not be available for 24 hours per day within the construction dates.
- Lane Closure Area
Pinhoe Road Lane Closure – Summer Lane to Beacon Lane 
Pinhoe Road Lane Closure – Tarbet Avenue to St Marks Avenue - Resident Access
Vehicle access to private driveways and business entrances will be maintained at all times to the northern side (eastbound lane). Unfortunately, due to the nature of the works vehicular access to residential properties and businesses on the southern side (within the westbound bus lane) is likely to be inaccessible for the duration of the works.
Pedestrian access to residential properties and businesses will be maintained at all times.
Heavitree Fore Street Bus Lane – Week Commencing 12 May
Works to be carried out to improve the legibility and prominence of the inbound bus lane on Heavitree Fore Street including laying red surfacing. Signage will also be updated to reflect the new operation times (See table below).
| Bus Lane | Existing Operation Times | New Operation Times |
|---|---|---|
| Heavitree Fore Street Inbound – Butts Road to Church Street | Mon to Fri, 8:30 am to 9:30am and 4pm to 6:30pm | Mon to Fri, 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm |
The works will be undertaken during night time closures of the westbound lane and bus lane. This is programmed during the week commencing 12 May for an anticipated 2 nights on Heavitree Fore Street between the junctions of Whipton Lane / Butts Road and North Street / Church Street. The closure will be in place between the hours of 19:00 and 06:00, eastbound traffic is intended to operate as normal.
A signed diversion route will be in place for westbound traffic via Honiton Road, Rydon Lane, Topsham Road, Western Way, and Heavitree Road.
On street parking within the existing bus lane will not be available between the hours of 17:00 and 08:00 on the construction dates.
- Westbound Closure Area
- Diversion Route for Westbound Traffic
Heavitree Fore Street Westbound Traffic Diversion Route - Resident Access
Vehicle access to private driveways and business entrances will be maintained on the northern side (eastbound lane) throughout the works. Access to private residential driveways and business entrance on the southern (westbound bus lane), is likely to be inaccessible for the duration of the works.
Pedestrian access to residential properties and businesses will be maintained at all times.
Heavitree North Street Junction Lining – Week Commencing 12 May
Lining works to be carried out to lengthen the two lane advance on the North Street approach to Heavitree Fore Street to aid buses travelling through the junction.
The works will be undertaken under a road closure during the week commencing 12 May for an anticipated 1 night on North Street between Fore Street and Brewery Lane. The road closure will be in place between the hours of 19:00 and 06:00. Traffic is intended to operate as normal in day time hours.
A signed diversion route will be in place via Fore Street, Whipton Lane, Sweetbrier Lane, Hamlin Lane and South Lawn Terrance.
On street parking within the closure area on North Street will not be available for 24 hours on the construction date.
- Road Closure Area
North Street Road Closure Area - Diversion Route
North Street Road Closure Diversion Route - Resident Access
Vehicle access to private residential driveways and business entrances will be maintained throughout the works. However, there may be certain operations when access will not be possible. Access to driveways within the North Street closure can then be gained via the manned entrance on the northern end of the closure adjacent to the Brewery Lane junction only. Access will not be permitted from the southern end adjacent to Fore Street for safety reasons.
Pedestrian access to residential properties and businesses will be maintained at all times.
Honiton Road Bus Lane – Dates to be confirmed
Lining and surfacing works to be carried out to improve legibility and prominence of the inbound bus lane on Honiton Road (between Hill Barton Road Overbridge and Ringswell Avenue). Signage will also be updated to reflect the new operation times (see table below).
| Bus Lane | Existing Operation Times | New Operation Times |
|---|---|---|
| Honiton Road Inbound – Hill Barton Road Overbridge to Ringswell Avenue | Mon to Fri, 8am to 9:15am | Mon to Sat, 7am to 10am |
Due to other planned works in the area, it is not yet confirmed when the lining and surfacing works will be carried out. However the updating of the signage will likely occur during the week commencing the 12 of May. This webpage will be updated when more information is available.
Heavitree Road Bus Priority Pre-Signals – Dates to be confirmed
New traffic signals will be implemented at the end of the outbound bus lane on Heavitree Road on the approach to the junction with Polsloe Road and Barrack Road. These signals will prioritise buses exiting the bus lane towards Heavitree Fore Street or Barrack Road.
The works will include the construction of a new traffic island between the bus lane and associated signal works. We are also taking the opportunity to deliver needed resurfacing works on the carriageway between Grendon Road and Polsloe Road at the same time, to reduce disruption to residents and road users.
Due to other works planned in the area, it is not currently confirmed when these works will take place or what traffic management will be in place for the duration of the works. This webpage will be updated when information is available.
Contact Details
If you have any questions/concerns about the works please contact us by:
- Email: UK.DevonHSM@wsp.com
- Telephone: 01392 229700
- Post: 3rd Floor, Longbrook House, New North Road, Exeter EX4 4GL
Please quote FAO:70102396 – Heavitree Bus Enhancement Package in correspondence.
To contact the site contractor during the works, please contact them by:
- Email: info@kennfordtarmacadam.co.uk
- Telephone: 01392 464020
Scheme Background Information
Public engagement ran between 19 February and 29 March 2024. Details of the engagement as well as the summary report can be found on the project’s Have Your Say Page.
Following public engagement, revised proposals were presented to and approved by Devon County Council’s Cabinet in July 2024. The cabinet report and meeting minutes can be accessed on the meetings webpage (Item 573).
Following cabinet approval, the traffic regulation orders (TROs) required for the schemes were advertised and consulted on. Results of this consultation were presented and approved with minor amendments at the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee in November 2024. The committee report and meeting minutes can be found on the meetings webpage (Item 179).
These interventions will also be accompanied by technological upgrades to signalised junctions across each corridor, which will be implemented separately.