Major road to reopen for first time in SIX years as council prioritises cars and snubs cyclists

A major road in Exeter is set to reopen with a new two-way traffic flow after being closed to most vehicles for six years, with the new plans looking to prioritise drivers.

Devon County Council has revealed plans to reopen Dryden Road in Exeter city, which runs alongside the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

The road was shut to traffic during the Covid pandemic to encourage walking and cycling, and the move was made permanent in 2022.

Councillors have voted to reverse that decision after a public consultation attracted almost 3,000 responses, with 73 per cent supporting the return of two-way traffic while keeping cycle lanes.

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The Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee rejected a proposed "cycle street" backed by council officers and instead voted to begin the legal process needed to remove the ban on motor vehicles.

Councillors also agreed to extend the 20mph speed limit and asked officers to draw up plans for traffic calming measures and safer facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

Dryden Road connects Barrack Road with Wonford Street and forms part of Exeter's E9 strategic cycle route, connecting the Newcourt and Pynes Hill employment areas with the hospital and city centre.

However, complaints that traffic had been pushed onto nearby Bovemoors Lane led councillors to order a review in 2025. A fresh consultation was then held earlier this year.

Residents were asked to choose between several options, including a bus gate, one-way traffic with a cycle lane and restoring two-way traffic with advisory cycle lanes.

Council officers later recommended a fifth option, a "cycle street" featuring cycle lanes on both sides of the road with a narrower carriageway for vehicles.

The proposal, backed by Active Travel England, was expected to cost between £500,000 and £650,000, while a more extensive redesign has been estimated at around £1million.

Councillors rejected the recommendation, prompting Reform UK councillor Neil Stevens to propose what he described as the "simplest, quickest" way of reopening the road.

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He said the committee had "wasted time, money and resources" and urged members to focus on reopening Dryden Road without expensive new infrastructure.

Labour councillor Phil Bialyk, leader of Exeter City Council, said the plans showed "a total neglect of pedestrians and cyclists", adding: "We've got to learn to live together in this city."

Campaigner Ian Frankum, who had spent years calling for the road to reopen, welcomed the result.

He said: "Now, 3,000 people have spoken and 73 per cent of them have actually screamed loud and clear, so that to my mind, is good for democracy and restores some faith in what our councils do."

James Diamond, chair of the Exeter Cycling Campaign, admitted the decision was disappointing but said the group would continue campaigning.

He said: "We always know that making Exeter a great place for people to get on a bike is a long journey.

"You move forward in some places, you stall in others - it won't affect the Exeter Cycling Campaign's ambition that Exeter is a great place to get around the city cheaply, safely and easily."

The campaign had previously criticised the consultation, with Diamond arguing it would be "completely mad" to spend active travel funding removing what he described as a safe cycle route.

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