Bus station redevelopment: road changes

Council proposes permanent road closures in Exeter

St Sidwell’s Point – the UK’s first super energy efficient and passivhous leisure complex – is being built at the Exeter Bus Station site.

A brand new bus station with modern facilities is also under construction, with the two Exeter City Council funded projects due to open in the spring of 2021.

The £52m scheme – split between the £8m for the bus station and £44m for the new leisure centre – and will also help to kickstart a £300million multi-purpose scheme with houses, shops, hotels and a performance venue.

But a raft of new traffic restrictions around the site are required to be implemented to provide safer and convenient access.

The Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee, when they meet next Monday, are recommended to approve the changes to the transport system. The recommendations are made to provide safer and convenient access for buses, cyclists, taxis and private hire vehicles, as well as ensuring appropriate loading that is essential to the operation of the City Council-approved leisure centre.

Meg Booth, Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste for Devon County Council, in her report, says it is considered that these proposals provide safer access for the limited traffic that is essential to the operation of the area.

The recommendations are:

Cheeke Street

• To reduce the traffic around the entrance and exit of the new bus station, it is proposed that the section of Cheeke Street between Belgrave Road and Bampfylde Street is restricted to Buses, Cycles, Taxis & Private Hire vehicles in both directions.
• To make the crossing at the Paris Street roundabout safer, it is proposed that only Buses, Cycles, Taxis & Private Hire vehicles be allowed to travel from Paris Street Roundabout up to Belgrave Road. All traffic would be allowed to turn left out of Belgrave Road and travel down to Paris Street Roundabout.

Belgrave Road

• It is proposed that no traffic (except cycles) is allowed to enter Belgrave Road from Cheeke Street. All vehicles must enter Belgrave Road from Summerland Street. All traffic leaving Belgrave Road may do so onto Summerland Street or by turning left onto Cheeke Street towards Paris Street Roundabout
• To ensure that pedestrians retain safe crossing points, it is proposed to amend the kerbline at the junction and it is proposed to shorten the existing loading bay

Bampfylde Street

• It is proposed that a prohibition is introduced between the entrance of Stover Court and Cheeke Street. All traffic would be allowed to travel north-eastbound from Cheeke Street towards Summerland Street.
• However, only buses, cycles, taxis & private hire vehicles would be allowed to travel towards Cheeke Street.
• It is also proposed to introduce additional bus stands and bus layover parking on Bampfylde Street to provide parking for the long distance coach stops that are to be relocated from Sidwell Street.

Paris Street

• As part of the new leisure centre, it is proposed to construct a new loading bay on the footway on Paris Street.

The cost of the works are being funded by Exeter City Council as it forms part of the leisure centre development and provision of a new bus station, the report to the meeting adds, saying: “All works will be carried out at appropriate time to minimise the impact on the city centre and local businesses.”

Mrs Booth’s report adds: “The introduction of a new bus station and leisure centre is seen as positive to encourage continued bus usage which will help with congestion and air quality in the city and keep the public active. The proposals also include measures that improve access to the city centre for cyclists, including contraflow lanes and access where general traffic is not permitted.”

The Exeter HATOC are recommended to agree to advertise the proposals.