Exeter drivers warned of ongoing road closures this February

Heavitree Road (B3183) will be closed to through traffic overnight between 7pm and 7am from Monday 2 February until the morning of Saturday 7 February, marking the first phase of a month-long programme of works.

The project, led by Devon County Council and funded through the Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, aims to speed up bus journeys and improve reliability on one of the city’s busiest corridors.

The scheme will see a new traffic island constructed and a new set of traffic signals installed at the end of the eastbound bus lane between Grendon Road and the junction with Polsloe Road and Barrack Road. 

The changes are designed to give buses priority at the junction, helping services continue more easily towards Heavitree Fore Street or turn right into Barrack Road.

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Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, acknowledged the inconvenience but said the long-term benefits would be significant.

“It’s appreciated that there has been a fair bit of disruption to journeys around Heavitree over the past year and this is also likely to cause some delays,” she said.

“However, these roadworks to increase priority for buses will make a significant difference to bus journeys going forward and improve journey times overall. The public are thanked for their patience.”

Councillor Thomas Richardson, County Councillor for St Sidwell’s and St James, added: “Understandably, these works will cause disruption in Exeter for a short while.

“As we all know, Exeter has traffic issues owing to the way the city developed over previous decades.”

“Whilst there will be short-term disruption during these works, the long-term impact of improving bus services and reducing congestion at the Heavitree Road/Barrack Road junction is a win for everyone.”

The improvement programme is expected to take around four weeks to complete and will involve a mixture of overnight and daytime restrictions.

Devon County Council has confirmed the following schedule:

• Monday 2 February to the morning of Saturday 7 February – full overnight closures from 7pm to 7am
• Monday 9 February to the morning of Saturday 14 February – further overnight closures from 7pm to 7am
• Monday 16 February to Sunday 22 February – eastbound lane closures during the day and night
• Monday 23 February to the morning of Saturday 28 February – daytime eastbound lane closures (7am–7pm) with full overnight closures from 7pm to 7am

During all closures, a signed diversion route will be in place via Western Way, Magdalen Street, Holloway Street, Topsham Road and Barrack Road.

On-street parking along Heavitree Road between Grendon Road and Polsloe Road/Barrack Road will also be temporarily suspended for the duration of the works.

The overnight closures have been authorised under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to allow construction to take place safely. 

Alongside the new signals and traffic island, resurfacing work will also be carried out on this section of road to reduce the need for future disruption.

A further temporary order has been put in place for the night of Sunday 8 February, allowing for additional closures if required to complete elements of the project.

Devon County Council has stressed that access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times, but general through traffic will not be permitted while closures are in force.

Drivers and bus passengers are being urged to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys, particularly during evening and early morning periods.

Road closure dates remain subject to change depending on weather and progress on site, with advance warning signs updated if necessary.