"Exeter Streets" consultation launched for Heavitree and Whipton
People in Heavitree and Whipton in Exeter are being invited to give their views on how they would like to see local streets improved to make their community a better place to live and work.
Devon County Council and Exeter City Council have launched their joint “Exeter Streets” online consultation to find out what changes people would like to see made to their local streets to make walking and cycling safer and easier in their neighbourhood.
It follows the introduction of the temporary “pop-up” measures earlier this year to support walking and cycling during the coronavirus pandemic. Some of these were delivered in Heavitree and Whipton and Devon County Council made a commitment to consult further on some of these measures.
The online consultation, which will run until Friday 18 December, will be carried out in two phases using a digital public engagement tool.
Initially an online “poll” will ask questions on walking, cycling, traffic, public transport and places to be active – with the website enabling you to choose which issues you would like to comment on. You can also provide your opinion on the temporary pop up measure in Chard Road.
The feedback from this will inform a second phase looking at issues raised and consulting on the detail of potential solutions. The second phase of the consultation will be launched in Spring 2021.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We have pledged to carry out wider consultation in the areas where some of the temporary active travel measures have been introduced, and this is an excellent opportunity for people to let us know what improvements they would like to see on their local roads.
“Our transport strategy has set an ambitious target to get 50% of residents in the city walking and cycling to work and education by 2030, and we would welcome everyone's thoughts on how they feel we can achieve this. Quieter roads with lower levels of traffic would support active travel, improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.”
Councillor Yvonne Atkinson, Chair of the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC), said: “Please get involved with the consultation. Your councillors want to use this opportunity to ensure Heavitree and Whipton is a neighbourhood where everyone wants to live and enjoy walking and cycling in. Listening to your opinions will be an important part of developing next stage proposals for the area. Understanding views from residents will help us create an area plan that reflects the views and ideas put forward by the community.”
Councillor Greg Sheldon, Devon County Councillor for Heavitree and Whipton Barton, said: “I am delighted this consultation is taking place, and would urge every resident to give their views. This is a chance to shape the area and improve lives. I look forward to the proposals this will generate and the second consultation on those.”
Councillor Duncan Wood, Exeter City Council’s Lead Councillor for Leisure and Physical Activity, said: “We are committed to supporting people to cycle and walk more in our city, this online platform is a welcome opportunity for local residents to have their say. We have an ambitious and exciting opportunity through our partnership with Sport England and their Local Delivery Pilot to make Exeter the most active city and support our residents to be active every day. Walking and cycling to work, to school or to local facilities is a great way to get fit and stay fit to help get more from life. I’d encourage anyone living or working in areas where there are consultations to engage with the platform and give us their views.”
Last month, the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) agreed to progress Traffic Regulation Orders for some of the Covid pop-up measures that were implemented during lockdown in order to make them permanent. This included establishing a permanent point closure to vehicles on Homefield Road, and the alleyway between Ladysmith Road and Homefield Road, as well as making contraflow cycling on Park Place permanent to allow two-way cycling.
The point closure on Chard Road remained in place while consultation is carried out in the Whipton and Heavitree area to seek further views of the local community on what changes they would like to see to streets around Heavitree. However, the point closure on Vaughan Road was removed following negative public feedback.
For more information on the Exeter Streets programme email: transportplanning@devon.gov.uk
You can take part in the online consultation at https://placebuilder.io/exeterstreets Alternatively you can request a paper feedback form or more information by emailing transportplanning@devon.gov.uk by post to Transport Planning, Matford Offices, County Hall, Topsham Rd, Exeter, EX2 4QD or by phone on 0345 155 1004.
