Full Breakdown
Exeter Council Approves Plan to Reopen Dryden Road to Vehicles
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Proposal
Exeter’s Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) has approved a design package to reopen Dryden Road to motor traffic after a six-year closure. The plan, estimated at nearly £500,000, adds dedicated cycle lanes, pedestrian crossings, a 20 mph speed limit and speed humps. The road runs alongside the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital site and was originally closed in 2020 to improve conditions for cyclists.
Background and Context
Dryden Road was shut in 2020 as part of a scheme intended to create a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians. Over the intervening years, the closure has been credited with reducing vehicle traffic near the hospital but has also generated congestion on surrounding streets. The newly approved design seeks to balance the original cycling focus with restored vehicle access, aiming to alleviate traffic pressure while retaining safety features for non-motorised users.
Official Statements and Responses
HATOC members indicated that the approved design “provides a pragmatic compromise” that restores vehicular movement while preserving cyclist and pedestrian safety through the added infrastructure. The council’s transport department highlighted that the 20 mph limit and speed humps are intended to mitigate any increase in traffic speed once cars return.
What’s Next
The council will proceed with detailed engineering work under the approved design. The Exeter Cycling Campaign’s legal challenge is expected to be filed in the coming weeks, potentially delaying implementation pending a court decision.
