Devon County Council has launched a formal public consultation on proposed changes to traffic regulations on two key streets in the heart of Exeter. The plans, which would affect sections of Queen Street and Paul Street near the EX4 3SH postcode area, are now open for scrutiny and feedback from local residents and businesses.
Details of the Proposed Traffic Orders
The council has published draft Traffic Regulation Orders under the powers granted by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The official notice appeared in the Exeter Express & Echo and is hosted on the national Public Notice Portal.
For Queen Street, the council is proposing an amendment to introduce Loading At Any Time and No Waiting At Any Time on specific lengths of the road. It is important to note that the council states no road markings will be altered as part of this change. Standard exemptions would remain in place for activities including picking up or setting down passengers, loading or unloading goods, and for vehicles displaying a valid disabled person's badge.
On Paul Street, a new order is suggested that would enact a prohibition of vehicles travelling in a northeast-bound direction along a specified section. Similarly, this change would not involve any modification to the existing road surface markings.
How to View the Plans and Have Your Say
All relevant documents, including the draft orders, associated plans, and a statement of reasons, are available for examination on the Devon County Council website. Paper copies can also be inspected during normal office hours at County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD.
The council is encouraging anyone with concerns or who believes they may be adversely affected to study the proposals carefully. All representations must be received by the deadline of 29 January 2026. This gives the public an extended period to consider the potential impacts.
Comments must be submitted in writing, specifying the grounds for any objection or support. They should be sent to the Director of Legal and Democratic Services at the County Hall address above or via the council’s dedicated online consultation portal. The council references the case as Ref. IMR/DEV001/1474 with website references 6225/6226.
Privacy and Next Steps
The authority has outlined its process for handling responses. All comments will be anonymised before being presented to the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) for deliberation or before any potential publication on the council’s website. Personal details will be treated as confidential in accordance with the council’s standard privacy notice.
For those without home internet access, free, bookable computer sessions are available at Devon Libraries during their opening hours. The full public notice can also be found on the Public Notice Portal, which allows users to track announcements relevant to their local area.
