Magdalen Road Enhancements

Image shows the artist's impression of Magdalen Road. — Magdalen Road Artist’s Impression

Permanent works to deliver an enhancement scheme on Magdalen Road, Exeter commenced on 16 January 2023 and will be substantially complete by 27 May 2023. The works affect the section of road between the Denmark Road and College Road/St Leonards Road junctions.

Following the completion of the permanent works (from 27 May 2023), Devon County Council is trialling an extension of the one-way system on Magdalen Road. This will extend the existing (permanent) one-way system from the Denmark Road junction to the Fairpark Road junction. It is intended to mitigate the impacts of traffic displacement on Denmark Road, following feedback from local residents. As with the existing one-way system, people cycling will be exempt from the restrictions.

The temporary one-way extension is being implemented using an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, details of which are available at https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/parking/traffic-regulation-orders/advertised-tros/ (Ref 6078). Representations can be made within 6 months of 27 May 2023, via an online comments form linked from the above webpage. Additionally, if the temporary scheme is subsequently varied by another order or modified, representations may be made within 6 months of that variation or modification coming into force. Devon County Council will consider these representations in deciding whether the one-way extension should continue indefinitely.

During the temporary one-way extension, people making journeys within the area are advised to allow additional time, as it may be necessary to use alternative routes. Businesses will remain open as usual.

Contact details

The Transport Planning team overseeing the enhancements can be contacted:

By email – transportplanning@devon.gov.uk
By telephone – 0345 155 1004
By post – Transport Planning, Room 120, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QD

Representations regarding Traffic Regulation Orders can be made:

Online – devon.cc/tro
By post – Director of Legal & Democratic Services, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QD

If your enquiry is urgent and poses a threat to life or property, please call our Customer Service Centre via the details at https://www.devon.gov.uk/help/contact-us/

What changes are being made?

The permanent scheme encompassed:

Building out of the northern footway, to approximately match the alignment of the existing temporary barriers,
Retaining the one-way (westbound) restriction for vehicular traffic
Providing an advisory contra-flow (eastbound) cycle lane
Introducing a restricted parking zone to ban all parking and loading outside of marked bays, comprising:
- Loading bays incorporated into the northern footway
- Widened limited waiting parking bays on the southern side of Magdalen Road
Introducing a raised hump crossing point on Denmark Road, at its junction with Magdalen Road
Public realm improvements, including changes to street lighting and new planting and cycle parking.

The Scheme Plan shows the layout of the road post-construction.

The temporary scheme encompasses an extension of the one-way (westbound only) system on Magdalen Road. This will extend from the Denmark Road junction to the Fairpark Road junction. People cycling will be exempt from the one-way restriction.

When are the works taking place?

The permanent works, and other associated road closures and parking suspensions, started on 16 January 2023, and are anticipated to be substantially complete by 27 May 2023. However, minor residual works to footways will be undertaken during the week commencing 29 May 2023.

The permanent works were divided into phases, affecting different sections of Magdalen Road and adjacent junctions:

Phase 1 – Denmark Road junction to Wonford Road junction, 16 January – 8 March;
Phase 2 – Wonford Road junction to College Road junction, 9 March – 29 April;
Phase 3 – College Road junction, 2 May – 27 May.

The temporary one-way extension will commence on 27 May 2023, and will last for up to 18 months.

How will the permanent construction works affect me?

Road closures
During the construction works, businesses remained open as usual but sections of Magdalen Road were closed to vehicular traffic:
- Phase 1 (16 January 2023 – early March) – Denmark Road junction to Wonford Road junction
- Phases 2/3 (early March – late May) – Wonford Road junction to College Road/St Leonards Road junction
Towards the end of Phase 3 (for up to 5 nights between 22 and 27 May), there were also night closures on Magdalen Road, from the Fairpark Road junction to the Raleigh Road junction.

The road closures during the works are summarised in the plan below:

Signed diversionary routes were in place, as shown in the notices linked below:
During phases 2 and 3, access was from the Western Way end of Magdalen Road, so the one-way system on Magdalen Road will be reversed.
Car parking
The limited waiting bays on Magdalen Road remained available during Phase 1, but were suspended during Phases 2 and 3. In addition, some residents’ parking and limited waiting parking was suspended during the works:
- Spicer Road, residents’ parking bay nearest College Road junction (Phases 1-3) – to facilitate HGV deliveries
- Denmark Road, limited waiting bay nearest Magdalen Road junction (Phases 2-3) – to facilitate HGV deliveries
- Wonford Road, part of limited waiting bay nearest Magdalen Road junction (Phases 2-3) – to ensure emergency vehicles and refuse vehicles can safely turn into Wonford Road
During Phases 2 and 3, Exeter City Council provided 8 spaces within Magdalen Road Car Park for the exclusive use of shoppers on Magdalen Road. In line with the existing restrictions on the limited waiting bays, the dedicated spaces had a maximum stay of 1 hour, with no return within 2 hours, between 9AM and 6PM. These spaces were clearly signed, with normal charges applying for all other spaces.

Please see the map available at Devon Traffic Orders for further details of additional limited waiting, residents’ parking and Pay & Display parking in the area.
Cycle routes

It was not possible to cycle within the closed sections of Magdalen Road and Denmark Road. Therefore, the E9 cycle route was diverted via Spicer Road and the southern end of College Road during all phases of the works, as shown below:
Bus stops

During Phase 3 of the works, the lane closure and temporary traffic lights on College Road necessitated suspension of the ‘Mount Radford’ bus stops, served by the H and UNI buses. The nearest alternative bus stops were located at the northern end of College Road, near the St Luke’s Campus.
Delivery arrangements for traders
Light Goods Vehicles continued to be able to use Magdalen Road to make deliveries during the works, exiting via Wonford Road. However, Wonford Road is unsuitable for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), so alternative delivery areas for HGVs were provided on Spicer Road and Denmark Road.

The routes for accessing the loading areas were as follows:

Denmark Road
- Inbound via Heavitree Road, Spicer Road and Denmark Road
- Outbound via Denmark Road, Barnfield Hill, Spicer Road and Heavitree Road.
Spicer Road
- Inbound via Heavitree Road, College Road and Spicer Road
- Outbound via Spicer Road, Denmark Road, Barnfield Hill, Spicer Road and Heavitree Road.

Why have the changes been made?

Magdalen Road, Exeter is an attractive and vibrant local neighbourhood centre at the heart of the St Leonard’s community.

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary changes were made to reduce vehicular traffic to one-way (westbound towards the city centre) and widen the footway on the northern side of the street to provide additional space for pedestrians. A contraflow (eastbound towards Heavitree Road) cycle lane was also provided. This forms part of a cross-city cycle route (E9) connecting Newcourt and Pynes Hill to the City Centre via the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

Following this, permanent changes to reduce through traffic on Magdalen Road were overwhelmingly supported in a Spring 2021 Public Consultation. The scheme has subsequently been further developed and consulted on (see below), to ensure it meets the needs of local residents and traders as far as practicable. Construction of a permanent scheme was approved by Devon County Council’s Cabinet in June 2022.

These changes will provide an improved environment on Magdalen Road, creating additional space for local traders and people walking, and encourage greater levels of cycling. The changes are in line with the County Council’s Exeter Transport Strategy, which aims to create Greater Places for People and increase active travel within Exeter. They also support objectives in the Devon Carbon Plan, the roadmap for how Devon will achieve net-zero emissions, relating to promoting sustainable alternatives to car travel.

Previous Consultations

Spring 2021 Public Consultation
Public consultation on a range of permanent options for Magdalen Road was undertaken in Spring 2021.

The options presented during the consultation were:
- Option 1 – one-way westbound with contra-flow (eastbound) cycle lane
- Option 2 – one-way eastbound with contra-flow (westbound) cycle lane
- Option 3 – low-traffic street (significant widening of space available for pedestrians)
- Option 4 – revert to two-way vehicular traffic
Over 1,500 responses were received through an online survey, by email or by post. Some of the highlights of those responses include:
- 75% of respondents agreed with reducing through traffic in Magdalen Road to provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists
- Pedestrian facilities and clean air were rated as the most important factors in Magdalen Road by consultation respondents.
- The option preferred by the greatest number of respondents was Option 3 (low-traffic street)
- Among traders on Magdalen Road, there was a 50:50 split for and against reducing traffic in Magdalen Road.
- 70% of respondents said permanent changes would encourage more frequent visits to Magdalen Road
A more detailed review of the responses is provided in the Consultation Report.

Following this consultation, a decision was made at the July 2021 meeting of the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) to progress with Option 1 – one-way westbound with contra-flow cycle lane.
February 2022 Consultation with Traders

In February 2022, an informal consultation was undertaken with local traders, seeking views on potential public realm improvements, such as planting and cycle parking. Feedback was also sought on loading arrangements to be facilitated through the permanent scheme, for example limits on loading at certain times.

The feedback received informed the permanent Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) that were advertised in March-April 2022. In particular, to provide traders with additional flexibility regarding deliveries, the TROs would permit loading at any time, within marked bays.
March – April 2022 Traffic Regulation Orders Consultation

A statutory consultation was conducted regarding the TROs required to implement the permanent scheme, between 24 March and 14 April 2022. The TROs comprised a TRO for a permanent one-way restriction for vehicular traffic and a TRO for permanent waiting restrictions.

155 responses to the statutory consultation were received, of which approximately 65% were in support of the proposals, and 35% were against. Considering these responses (including specific concerns raised by respondents) and the wider scheme context, a decision was made at the June 2022 meeting of the Exeter HATOC to make and seal the permanent TROs. HATOC also resolved to implement an Experimental TRO to temporarily extend the one-way restriction to the Magdalen Road/Fairpark Road junction. This will be implemented following the construction of the permanent scheme.

The one-way TRO was made on 15 June 2022, and came into force on the 22 June 2022. The waiting restrictions TRO will be made following the completion of construction works.
November 2022 Consultation with Traders

In November 2022, another consultation was undertaken with local traders, seeking further details on their delivery arrangements. This was used to inform the arrangements for deliveries during the construction period.