Work is underway on a new scheme making it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle in the Newtown area of Exeter.
The Newtown Community Scheme, which is led by the Live and Move team at Exeter City Council in partnership with Devon County Council and funded by Sport England, aims to make walking and cycling easier and safer for people living in the area.
In July 2025 the councils approved implementation of the scheme following extensive engagement with residents and businesses.
The work has been split into three phases:
Phase one:
Work started on Monday 9 March to make it easier for people to access the city centre by walking across a widened path through the Triangle car park. This route will also see the installation of cycle parking, benches and planters.
Russell Street will be closed to motorised traffic and a new path leading from Heavitree Road to the Triangle car park will be installed, together with better signage to make it easier for people to use these routes.
There will also be the installation of a contraflow cycle lane on Clifton Hill, where adjustments will be made to the parking bays so that the amount of parking remains the same, but the provision of two passing places will be provided.
Phase two:
Work is expected to start in the summer for the installation of a pedestrian stopping point and cycle parking on Clifton Road, together with wider pavements and a raised crossing for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The area will also see more green spaces and planters together with signs to make it easier for those walking and cycling to get around.
Following recent approval of plans to develop Clarendon House, an opportunity has arisen to create a new high quality, landscaped street, called Garden Lane, to be delivered as part of the development. This will form phase three of the construction expected to take place towards the end of 2026.
Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Healthy Living at the city council, said the project is important to residents living in Newtown.
“The Newtown scheme is a great example of how Exeter City Council works with partners to deliver projects that make life better for residents. This scheme will make it easier and safer for people to get around, whilst also making Newtown a greener and more pleasant place to live.”
Cllr Matt Vizard, Lead Councillor for Climate and Ecological Change, added:
“Active travel is great for improving health and wellbeing and this scheme will help to lower emissions from vehicles while improving the quality of life for residents in Newtown. We have listened to what residents want and it is great that we have been able to deliver.”
Councillor Michael Mitchell, Chair of the Exeter Highway and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC), welcomed the progress on the project.
“This project has been a long time in its development and has involved a partnership between the community, Exeter City Council and Devon County Council.
“It was very pleasing that support for this scheme was a unanimous decision of the committee. This is a small but important step in developing active travel within the city centre.”
(Picture: Exeter Council)
