Legal warning over Exeter traffic scheme U-turn

Campaign groups backing a controversial Exeter traffic trial have warned that cancelling it early could leave Devon County Council open to legal challenge.

The Heavitree and Whipton Active Streets Trial began last August with the aim of increasing walking, scooting or cycling instead of driving for short journeys.

It also aimed to reduce rat-running through the residential area and was planned to run for 18 months. 

However, it was revealed yesterday that the council could consider suspending the trial early because it isn’t meeting many of its targets. More traffic now uses some roads around the boundaries of the area, and journey times have  slowed down.

There has also been strong public opposition to the trial, with protests and petitions signed by thousands of people.

But supporters point out that residents say they like the quieter streets and local families say it feels safer for children going to school. 

They claim the report to the council which suggests suspending the trial is based on old data.

Lorna Devenish, a spokesperson for the Heavitree and Whipton Liveable Neighbourhood Group, said: “The figures in the report are from one day in September, just a month after the trial was started. Why is there no new data four months on? The trial was still settling in and there were multiple roadworks elsewhere at that time. 

“Despite this, the figures show that cycling was up by 40 per cent. Our own traffic surveys suggest this fantastic increase in cycling has been maintained throughout the winter, but it would be good to have up-to-date official counts.”

She said an increase in traffic of less than two per cent could simply be in line with the general trend of increasing traffic.

“All the evidence shows that it takes a few months for schemes like this to bed in and for people to get used to them. We are calling on the county highways and traffic orders committee to reject this report and only agree to review the trial once they have more up-to-date figures. 

“The report also calls for the decision to be made by an unelected official. This is undemocratic. Whether the trial proceeds or not, the decision should be made by our locally elected councillors from across the city and the county council.”

Mike Walton, chair of the Exeter Cycling Campaign, added: “Elsewhere in the country, citizens have successfully challenged councils who have prematurely ended active travel trials.

“We are confident Devon County Council will want to ensure they stick to their published strategies – which is to increase active travel and decarbonise transport – to their success criteria for the trial, and to the law.”

Article: Guy Henderson, Local Democracy Reporter.