Support our Crowdfunder to take  a stand at Dryden Road

Join us for a family friendly social

Taking a stand at Dryden Road

In the 10 years of the Campaign’s history, we have never asked our supporters for money. But today we are doing exactly that – and we need to explain why.

We expect that Devon County Council will soon publish a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for consultation which would lead to the removal of the filter on Dryden Road without any guaranteed measures in place to ensure the safety of people on cycles.

This is despite them knowing since last October that Active Travel England-the expert Government body- have advised that this will lead to a ‘Critical Safety Issue’.

What is a Critical Safety Issue?

According to Active Travel England a Critical Safety Issue is defined as a street layout or condition that is associated with an increased risk of collisions- death and serious injury-  for people walking, wheeling or cycling. 

We still find it hard to believe that a responsible public body would proceed in this  way but we have sadly reached the conclusion that we now need to plan for this to happen.  

We do not believe that Devon County Council would open a school, or a bridge or a footpath or any other building or infrastructure where an expert body and national expert guidance has told them that the design would lead to an increased risk of serious injury or death.

What have we already done? 

Supporters have already made every effort to avoid this outcome.  We have never argued for no change but simply that  any change should ensure people on cycles are safe.  This is after all a Strategic Cycle Route close to schools and hospitals.

What are we doing now?

We have been working with a national legal firm with a track record of successful work involving road safety. 

We will now work with them to set out our legal objections to the forthcoming Traffic Regulation Order when it is published for consultation. 

This will cost money, but we have already received advice from them for free.  There is still plenty of time and opportunity for Devon County Council to think again and ensure the safety of people on cycles. 

We would much rather be focusing on the Stoke Arms roundabout, cycle hangars or School Streets and not having to make the case for safety on a Strategic Cycle Route that has been working well for over five years.

We have always sought to work with Councillors and Officers for safe, convenient, connected cycling for all, rather than using more confrontational tactics.

However, we believe that in line with our charitable purposes, we must take a stand where a public body is proposing such an irresponsible course of action to put the lives and safety of people at known and predictable risk. 

Devon County Council has invested much public money in this route. 

Making this section unsafe – and it is clear from the Active Travel England advice that this will be the outcome  – not only undermines this investment but means the children, families, disabled people and indeed all users will be at increased risk of death or serious injury.

It would fundamentally undermine Devon County Council’s own democratically adopted plans for increasing cycling in the City. 

This is why we are asking for your support in challenging this action with legal support.  There is no guarantee of success but we would not have taken this decision if we did not believe that there is a serious case to be made.

Please follow the link to donate what you can.  Thank you.

STOP PRESS: We are aiming to raise £2500 and as we write we are already at £265 just a few hours after launch

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/dryden-road-safe-for-everybody

Join us this Friday 14th for our latest Summer Social

from 5PM at Belmont Park

We’re hosting an informal gathering to chat active travel, and cycling, walking and wheeling in Exeter and beyond. Bring snacks, drinks and a picnic blanket, and we can enjoy bringing the week to a close in good company.

Bring your drinks, snacks and picnic blanket. Find us from 5pm near the grass play park beyond the hut in Belmont Park. All welcome. We’ve arranged this one as a family-friendly picnic near a park so no need for those with childcare responsibilities to arrange babysitters.

You can even ride there via two of Exeter’s newest pieces of cycling infrastructure – the lovely remodelled cycle path through The Triangle, and the contraflow bike lane on Clifton Hill!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1130761846085449

What does Exeter Cycling Campaign stand for?
A comprehensive, convenient and connected network of cycle paths for people of all ages and abilities to choose cycling as the safe, natural choice for everyday journeys. 

We advocate not only for people who cycle but for people who walk, wheel and scoot.