Residents invited to give their views on future of Magdalen Road
Exeter residents have the chance to give their views on how Magdalen Road could look in the future.
Devon County Council (DCC) has launched a public consultation, which sets out several different options for access and providing more space for pedestrians, cyclists and shoppers.
The options being proposed follow feedback from local residents and stakeholders on the temporary changes, funded by the Government’s Active Travel Fund, which are currently in place to support social distancing.
Option 1 would be to make the current temporary arrangements permanent, reducing traffic to one-way and providing a contraflow cycle lane and much wider footway on the northern side of the street.
Option 2 also suggests a one-way system, but in the other direction, and with wider footways.
Option 3 proposes prohibiting all through traffic, creating a low trafficked street with much of Magdalen Road enhanced for pedestrians, cyclists and extra street space for businesses to use.
The final proposal, Option 4, would be to return Magdalen Road to a two-way traffic system, as it was before the pandemic.
The Magdalen Road consultation is open until March 17. If there is support for permanent changes then a more detailed consultation will be undertaken on a preferred option.
Details of the consultation and an online survey can be found on DCC's website: https://devon.cc/magdalen-road
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “Given that previously events such as street parties have been held on the road, there are opportunities to provide more space for shoppers, pedestrians and cyclists.
“This consultation is only the first step of this discussion, and is a chance to influence and shape the future of Magdalen Road.
“No decisions have been made and I would encourage as many people as possible to give their views. We want to know if residents would support any of these proposals and if so, why.”
Councillor Carol Whitton, the Local County Councillor for St David's & Haven Banks said: “I am delighted that the consultation on Magdalen Road’s future is underway. Magdalen Road is a special part of St Leonards and this consultation provides an opportunity to think carefully about how we feel Magdalen Road should look like in the years to come.
“The consultation also serves as a reminder of the terrific array of independent shops and businesses on the road that I hope to support as we ‘build back better’ after the pandemic.”
In addition, a consultation for Dryden Road has also been launched. A temporary closure of Dryden Road was introduced in June 2020, also in response to the pandemic.
The temporary changes at Dryden Road along with Wonford Road, Ludwell Lane and Magdalen Road, have helped create a new quiet corridor, with lower traffic flows where people feel more confident to cycle.
The planned resurfacing of Dryden Road next year provides an opportunity for residents to have a say on what it could be like in the future.
If you want to have your say on Dryden Road please complete the online survey.
Paper leaflets showing the options for both consultations can be requested via email at transportplanning-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
