Cycle route ticks all the right boxes
June 14th, 2016
After a public consultation on the needs of cyclists in Exeter, the council have listened carefully and have proposed two new multi-use cycle paths linking the city centre with schools, universities and jobs and finishing at the Exe Estuary Trail.
Findings from the consultation process showed that cyclists wanted ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ cycle routes for commutes and also wanted paths linking all the main areas of Exeter. So Devon County Council has approved the plans to create two routes linking Redhayes Bridge, crossing the M5 near Junction 29, to the city centre , allowing cyclists a fast route into town from Pinhoe, Monkerton and Cranbrook. The second route will connect Eastern Exeter to the centre passing schools in Heavitree and Whipton.
The public consultation also highlighted the need for ‘high-quality segregation between pedestrians and cyclists’ and a need for quieter, safer routes for the more leisurely, younger and less experience riders.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for highways said: “Next week is National Bike Week and with Devon once again hosting the Tour of Britain this year more people than ever before are cycling.
“At the last Census Exeter was ranked in the top 10 cities for cycling to work, with a 57% increase
“Cycling is not only increasingly being seen as an attractive leisure activity which is good for your health but as a good way of beating congestion, reducing petrol costs and helping the environment.
“Improvements to cycling infrastructure across the city will help enhance this trend allowing better access to the city centre for shopping, improved access to education and encouraging more leisure trips.
“This is not just about catering for cyclists; it will also improve conditions for pedestrians and people with disabilities.”
James Barnfield, member of the Exeter Cycling Campaign, said: “It’s important to recognise that this investment will benefit the whole city and all who visit. It’s a limited but important step to reducing the pollution, congestion and health challenges that the city faces. This will make Exeter a better place for all of us to live in”.
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