Controversial road closure consultation reopens

The public consultation into a controversial road closure has reopened after it was "paused" in its first week for clarification.

Dryden Road in Exeter was shut to motorists temporarily in June 2020 and then permanently in 2022, to try to reduce traffic and create a safer cycling route.

After lobbying from campaigners against the closure, Devon County Council launched a consultation on Monday to ask if the public wanted to keep barriers in place, to open the road in one direction, or open it completely with cycle lanes in place.

The council has now clarified the cycle lanes would be marked with paint, rather than being separated from drivers by planters or bollards.

A spokesman for the council said officers had now clarified there was not enough room for a segregated cycle path in both directions without removing a retaining wall.

The consultation has now been restarted and an extra day and a half have been added to the consultation period to make up for the pause.

The council said comments that had already been submitted would still be valid.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.