Revised Bus Lane Operating Hours Approved for Exeter

Altered proposals concerning the operational hours of a bus lane on a primary route leading into Exeter have received approval. Initial plans for a bus lane operating for 12 hours had caused concern among businesses situated on Fore Street in Heavitree. Opponents argued these plans could lead to difficulties, potentially compelling some merchants to cease operations. The Highways and Traffic Orders Committee reviewed updated proposals for the lane to be active between 07:00 and 10:00, and again from 16:00 to 19:00, from Monday through Saturday. Upon approving these plans, the committee members additionally consented to further restrict the operational schedule to Monday through Friday exclusively. Prior restrictions had been enforced from Monday to Friday, specifically from 08:00 to 09:30 and from 16:00 to 18:30. This arrangement allowed vehicles to park for specific durations in front of shops, restaurants, and a laundrette located along the thoroughfare. Advocates for extending the operational hours pressed the committee, which comprises representatives from Devon County Council and Exeter City Council, to consider alternative solutions, including a 12-hour bus lane that would permit exemptions for deliveries. At the meeting, Phil Bialyk, a committee member and leader of Exeter City Council, drew a parallel between the bus lane proposals and the contentious low traffic neighbourhood initiative in Heavitree that was ultimately discontinued. He stated: “How have we got here again? I’ve got one warring faction over there and one over here and we’re trying to dodge the hand grenades.” Following the meeting, cycling advocate Edward Pickering commented that it represented “one tiny step in the right direction.” He further remarked: “It’s not enough hours of a bus lane. “There are still going to be traffic jams and there are still going to be thousands and thousand of people driving through Fore Street causing pollution and congestion.”” Richard Barnes, who owns the laundrette on Fore Street, expressed his “disappointment” regarding the extension of the bus lane hours, but also noted: “On the whole, it was a sensible compromise.”