Decision day for Exeter low-traffic scheme

County council recommended to pull the plug

Exeter's Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme could meet its doom today.

The controversial project, which stops most private vehicles accessing certain streets in Whipton and Heavitree, has led to protests, as some residents find they have to make longer journeys to reach their homes, or people with disabilities having to pay more for taxis.

Supporters say the roads are safer and the air cleaner.

A report prepared by a council officer is recommending the plug is pulled before the trial goes any further. But Exeter Cycling Campaign said: "The inconvenience of some drivers should not override the benefits available from building active lives, reducing road danger and carbon pollution."

It was introduced last August.

The report prepared for the meeting says a significant majority of people responding to consultation indicated opposition to each of the scheme components. Overall, 82 per cent of responses were opposed to the various scheme elements, with 18 per cent supporting it.