Transport Planning: Dryden Road and Surrounding Area
Devon County Council is consulting on possible changes along Dryden Road to resolve local traffic concerns and make walking, wheeling and cycling around the area safer, easier and more convenient. This was requested by the sitting councillors of the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) in October 2025.
The public consultation will start on Monday 02 March and close 11:59pm on Friday 10 April 2026. We would like to hear your views on the proposals to inform how the plans are taken forward.
Following feedback from local Councillors, the Dryden Road and surrounding areas consultation was briefly paused on Wednesday 4 March to allow a review and clarify some of the information presented.
This review confirmed that no changes were needed to the consultation options or materials, and the consultation reopened at 10.30am on Friday 6 March. Councillors recognised the frustration caused by the pause and supported restarting the consultation as quickly as possible.
The review focused on clarifying details around Option 3, which aims to retain two‑way traffic on Dryden Road while providing space for walking and cycling. The January Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) agreed a light segregated cycle facility extending the full length of Dryden Road to Wonford Street as part of reintroducing two-way traffic. The segregation element has had to be removed because following further design work, it became clear that a lightly segregated cycle route (i.e. cyclists separated from traffic using barriers such as planters / bollards rather than full kerbs) could not be delivered within the existing road width without 3rd party land and removal of a retaining wall. This would be prohibitively expensive and is not considered a viable proposal. As a result, Option 3 instead proposes painted advisory cycle lanes, which can be delivered within current highway constraints.
An option for no cycle lane between Bovemoors Lane and Wonford Street is included as sub-options for Options 2 and 3 in the consultation because of the sensitivities around the loss of parking and the need to gauge public opinion.
Options in the consultation are considered deliverable and meet the aims to address local traffic concerns while still offering safe, attractive routes for people walking and cycling. The purpose of the consultation is to gather feedback, highlight any issues, and invite alternative ideas. This feedback will help shape a preferred option, supported by further design work and road safety audits, before any future decisions are made.
We want to reassure residents that this consultation is a genuine opportunity to influence the scheme. No final decisions have been taken, and all feedback including responses submitted before the pause will be fully considered. If this clarification changes your view, you are welcome to submit an updated response.
To ensure everyone has enough time to take part, the consultation closing date has been extended to 11.59pm on Friday 10 April 2026.
About
About the project
Devon County Council is reviewing the future of traffic management and active travel provision on Dryden Road and the surrounding area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, national funding from the Department for Transport supported temporary measures to encourage walking and cycling. One of these measures was the restriction of motor vehicle access on Dryden Road between Well Oak Park and Kipling Drive, helping to create a safer environment for people cycling along the E9 strategic cycle route. The E9 cycle route connects key destinations across Exeter, including the city centre, County Hall, the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Pynes Hill and Sowton, and supporting access to tens of thousands of jobs. Following public consultation, the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) agreed in 2022 to make the closure permanent. This decision aimed to maintain lower traffic levels in the area and improve the safety and environment for people cycling.
Since the scheme has been implemented, concerns were raised about the impact of diverted traffic on nearby roads, leading to calls for further review. In October 2025 HATOC agreed to undertake a new consultation. This project will explore options that balance local traffic concerns with the need to provide safer, attractive walking and cycling routes on Dryden Road, Bovemoors Lane and the wider area.
Project aims
The proposed improvements are designed to:
Support safe, accessible and attractive walking and cycling routes along Dryden Road, Bovemoors Lane and the E9 corridor.
Respond to local concerns by reviewing traffic impacts and exploring balanced solutions.
Please click here to find out information on the proposals and the Options.
Have your say
The consultation period is open until 11.59pm 10 April 2026.
We are seeking your views on the options and proposals to inform how these designs are progressed during the next steps. To provide your feedback, please click here to complete an online survey.
You may also like to attend our public drop-in event where you can find out more about the proposals and speak to members of the project team. There is no need to book for these events, just turn up:
Wednesday 11 March 2026, 5:00pm - 8pm
Wonford Community Centre, Burnthouse Lane EX2 6NF
Timeline
Conversation Area Appraisal discussed at Executive
Conversation Area consultation begins
Consultation closes
More Info
More Information
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Latest News
Stay involved in the discussion. Keep up to date with the latest news and share it with your fellow community members.
Proposal
Find out more information about the Dryden Road and Surround Area proposals
Meet the Team
Commonplace facilitates this conversation on behalf of the team made up of the organisations listed here.
Get Notified
Your email will be used to contact you about project updates. You can unsubscribe at any point.
Your email will be used to contact you about project updates. You can unsubscribe at any point. Please read our privacy policy.