Devon MP calls for immediate halt of Exeter's 'detrimental' LTN trial

A Devon MP is calling for the immediate halt of a controversial trial of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme in Exeter that has sparked a huge divide in the local community and is said to be impacting residents from far and wide. Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, says that increased congestion is severely impacting those who use buses to get into the city and says it is ‘detrimental to sustainable public transport’.

The scheme – which has seen bollards and two bus gates introduced in Heavitree and Whipton – has been in place for six months. The public consultation is ongoing.

Mr Jupp has written to councillor Danny Barnes, chairman of the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC), demanding that the trial be immediately scrapped. The scheme was originally agreed by that committee and implemented on its request by Devon County Council in August 2023. It aims to remove through-traffic from Heavitree and Whipton’s key residential areas to create a safer and more attractive environment for people walking, wheeling and cycling.

The current intention is for the consultation to run until May 8. Supporters of the scheme claim it has already achieved its aims, but opponents say it is having a huge negative impact on car journeys, traffic on already heavily congested roads, the environment, businesses and people’s lives.

Stagecoach has confirmed ‘highways capacity and congestion’ in Exeter have recently been impacting the punctuality and reliability of its services and it is ‘actively’ working to address them.

Simon Jupp MP

The letter, which has been shared on Mr Jupp’s Facebook page, states: “I write to you with deep concern and frustration shared by local residents over the impact the Heavitree and Whipton Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) project is having on the Route 57 bus between Exmouth and Exeter.

“Many of my constituents in East Devon live and work along the Route 57 between Exmouth and Exeter. It is an incredibly popular service between two of the largest settlements in the county.

“That’s why I worked hard with Stagecoach South Wesy to get its 15-minute frequency reinstated last year. I am very worried about the detrimental impact the LTN is having on the reliability of this popular service which is harming passenger confidence and the sustainability of the frequency of the route.

“I have received numerous reports from constituents over an extended period of time that serious congestion on and around Heavitree Road caused by the LTN is leading to nearly 15-minute delays for Route 57 buses. This is totally unacceptable and must be put right.

“As chair of the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC), the group responsible for how highway responsibilities are delivered in the city. I am urging you to take immediate action and scrap the LTN experiment in Heavitree and Whipton.

“The impact of the LTN is detrimental to sustainable public transport serving the city and surrounding areas, including my constituency. It is time to put the public first, not political ideology. I look forward to hearing from you on the steps you will take to address my concerns.”

A bus gate on Ladysmith Road, Heavitree

Among those who commented on his post was a bus user who said: “All LTNs have done is cause chaos on the major roads into Exeter, especially Heavitree Road. It’s having a huge impact on all bus journeys, not just the 57.

“I’m a frequent user of the 4/44 and the service is so unreliable that often I can walk most of Heavitree faster than the traffic and without a bus even passing me but, unfortunately, I can’t walk all the way from the city centre to Cranbrook. The LTNs have done nothing but cause commuters stressful journeys and it’s time they were scrapped.”

Another added: “The boundary roads around the LTN are now regularly gridlocked with all the extra pollution and fuel costs to drivers. The other day, a bus journey through Heavitree that would normally take 10 minutes took nearly 40 minutes so you are quite right in pointing out the negative impact on public transport.”

The trial scheme has seen the installation of four physical modal filters – planters or bollards – to prevent access by all vehicles, and also four bus gates that can only be used by buses, emergency vehicles and certain other exempt classes of vehicle. Changes have been introduced in roads including Ladysmith Road, St Marks Avenue, Hamlin Lane, Whipton Lane and Vaughan Road.

Road blockages in Whipton Lane, Heavitree

A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: “We acknowledge and share the concerns around highways capacity and congestion in Exeter. Recent issues in the city particularly at peak travel times has regrettably impacted the punctuality and reliability of our services.

“We understand the frustration and inconvenience caused by these challenges and are actively working to address them. Our primary focus remains to serve the community getting residents and commuters where they need to go.”

Cllr Barnes and Devon County Council have been approached for a comment.