Skip to content

No funding for school safety traffic schemes

Miles Davis
BBC Devon political reporter
BBC Planters at the top of Ladysmith Road in Exeter, looking down Commins RoadBBC
The barrier at the top of Ladysmith Road introduced as part of the LTN is no longer there

There is no funding for new school traffic safety schemes in an area which saw a previous low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) project abandoned, council officers have said.

The LTN in the Heavitree and Whipton area of Exeter - which closed some through roads to drivers - split communities and cost at least £190,000.

When the scheme was scrapped in June 2024 it was agreed there would be public consultation events to look at what could be done to improve road safety in the area.

The Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) heard people wanted action on road safety around schools but officers told a meeting there was no money available to implement safety schemes.

Traffic bollards and a sign prohibiting motorcycles and cars in Hamlin Lane, Exeter
A low traffic neighbourhood scheme was introduced and then abandoned in Exeter

The report to HATOC said the focus groups - made up of residents and local schools - said work was needed on "improved safety for children around schools during peak times".

Hannah Clark, transport strategy manager at Devon County Council, told councillors it was not clear "what funding streams might be available".

HATOC is made up of councillors from Devon County Council and from Exeter City Council.

Tracy Adams, Labour member for Pinhoe and Mincinglake on Devon County Council, said she did not want the results of the public consultation to be "lost in aspic" and said the committee needed to focus on what it could do to improve safety around schools.

She said: "We can't wait for there to be some horrible accident outside Ladysmith School."

Ian Frankum, anti-LTN campaigner, wearing a brown jumper, at the front entrance to Devon County Council offices
Ian Frankum, who campaigned against the LTN, said he would encourage an emphasis on safety around schools

Councillors agreed to work with residents of Lower Hill Barton Road on looking at their plans to alleviate traffic in the area around St Nicholas primary school.

Following the meeting, Edward Pickering from the Exeter Cycling Campaign, said he was "underwhelmed and disappointed".

He said: "It was nice to see feedback from the focus groups but Exeter still faces the same issues of pollution and congestion, safety and health that we did a year ago."

Ian Frankum, who campaigned against the LTN, said he was pleased to see "a recognition" from councillors that there were "lessons to be learned" from the consultation and engagement that took place before the LTN was launched.

He said: "It's clear funding is going to be a big issue going forward and the emphasis has switched to school safety which is something we'd obviously all encourage."

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].

Related stories
Related internet links