We have put together a list of questions that we frequently hear, including many about the Coronavirus Active Travel Measures that have been implemented around Exeter recently. Please have a read through and let us know if you have any further enquiries, we look forward to hearing from you.
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Last updated: 31st August 2020
Why are some roads in Exeter being closed?
No roads in Exeter are being closed, a select few are being filtered in order to prioritise walking, cycling and other means of safe socially distanced transport methods to meet the Government guidelines during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Click here for more information.
Will the recent changes only benefit the few people in Exeter who cycle already?
We’ve seen during lockdown that many more people will cycle when it is safe to do so (an average national daily increase of 170%). These changes are focusing on making it safe so many people can choose alternative ways of travel. There’s pent up demand from people to want to cycle.
Why are cyclists being prioritised?
Prioritising a road for walking & cycling can increase its efficiency sevenfold, allowing for many more socially distanced people to use a less space.
Read more here.
What is the aim of these recent changes?
The aim of these changes is to create space for people to commute, shop and move across the city safely whilst protecting the vulnerable and attempting to mitigate the possibility of an additional wave of COVID-19.
Where did the money come from to pay for this? Shouldn’t we spend this on something else?
The money for these measures come from the national Department for Transport’s corona virus active travel fund of £225 million. Local Authorities cannot use this funding for other measures.
Read more here.
Why were local people not consulted about the recent changes?
The local people were consulted, using the recently relaxed Traffic Regulation Orders process. Please see the government’s website for more information.
Read more here.
Is this a long term solution? If so, will we be consulted?
These changes are a temporary response to the COVID-19 pandemic – they can be in place for up to 18 months with current measures, reviewed in November 2020. Councillors and the County Council Transport Team are closely monitoring how well these measures are working.
Every Exeter citizen can (and should) let their county councillors know what they think of these changes. You can find the Councillors here.
Click here for more information.
Do these changes discriminate against the elderly or disabled drivers?
The increased pavement space outside shops and where through-traffic has been filtered, allows for pedestrians to give those with disabilities and the elderly safe space for social distancing.
People living with a disability who have to use a car will benefit because there will be fewer cars on the roads. There are no locations in the city that have been made inaccessible by these changes.
Please click here to read more.
What about carers who need to get to appointments?
There are no locations in the city that have been made inaccessible by these changes and carers who need to drive should still be able to get around the city as before.
These measures will enable some to choose to cycle, freeing up road space for essential car journeys, including our excellent carers.
Businesses customers won’t be able to get to them, surely this will have a bad effect on their business?
Research shows that nearly all businesses with prioritised access for active travel do better than businesses on who prioritise car access.
For more information, click here.
Is this an anti-car move?
These are pro-people measures being taken to create a safe space for traveling. These changes will enable more people to walk or cycle – leaving the roads less congested for people who still need to drive. There are no locations in the city that are blocked off to people who need to drive.
Won’t road closures just push all the traffic onto the main roads, causing longer journeys, traffic jams and more pollution?
These changes affect a small number of roads in Exeter and will decrease congestion and pollution as people move from driving to cycling.
Click here to read more.
Who decided which roads would close?
Devon County Council decided which roads to open up for active travel, based on a set of criteria that identified the best roads on which to implement the Corona virus active travel measures.
To read more, click here.
Could these closures mean people can’t drive to their front doors?
There are no locations in the city that have been made inaccessible by these closures.
Click here for more information.
Are these changes discriminatory against the elderly or disabled pedestrians and wheelchair users?
The increased pavement space outside shops and where through traffic has been filtered, allows pedestrians to easily give blind people, people in wheelchairs, other disabled people and the elderly safe space for social distancing.
Do road closures benefit rich residents at the expense of poor people?
All citizens benefit from the Corona virus active travel measures, which allow safer travel for a greater number of people in our congested city. Other benefits include safer roads, fewer cars, cleaner air, fitter citizens, less carbon pollution.
For more details, please click here.
Surely businesses deliveries won’t be able to get to them?
These changes will not stop businesses from receiving deliveries. Sometimes minor changes to delivery routines will be required. These changes are not all negative: in Magdelen Road deliveries by cargo bike have become easier and quicker.
Isn’t it a stupid idea to try to make our streets safe enough for children to cycle?
The school run can account for at least one in every five cars at peak time, and is a major cause of congestion, pollution & frustration for road users. Fear of road traffic injury is the key reason people give for not cycling and that parents give for limiting their children’s independence. Many people say they drive their children to school because the roads are too unattractive and dangerous to walk or cycle. But in doing so they add to the problem.
For more information, click here.
Won’t this cause more congestion on existing routes?
Congestion will increase only in the short term. As people move from driving to active transport traffic evaporates.
Read more here.
Do these changes severely disrupt workers who drive for a living?
There are no locations that are made inaccessible by these changes. These changes will soon reduce the number of cars on the road, freeing up space for essential motor vehicle journeys. Some journeys may be marginally longer than previously, but this is likely to be only by a few minutes.
Aren’t the Coronavirus active travel measures are only going to benefit people who cycle?
The changes are being made for the benefit of all in Exeter, not just people who cycle.
For details, please click here.