Newtown Community Project work begins in Exeter with road closures and traffic lights

Work has begun on the next stage of the Newtown Community Project in Exeter, with road closures and traffic lights set to affect Belmont Road, Clifton Road and Clifton Hill over the coming weeks.

The latest phase, which started on Monday 14 September, is expected to take around five weeks to complete and will focus on improving walking and cycling routes through the area. Roads will remain open for most of the work, with multi-way temporary traffic lights in place, but a three-night road closure and diversion will be needed towards the end of the phase to allow for resurfacing and road markings.

The work forms part of a wider scheme designed to make journeys around Newtown easier, safer and more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users, while improving access to green spaces. Once complete, improvements will include a new raised crossing point on Belmont Road, new cycle parking near the park on Belmont Road, a new cycle crossing of Russell Street into the Triangle car park, realigned parking bays on Clifton Hill, wider pavements at the Belmont Road/Clifton Road junction, and increased green space and improved footways on Clifton Road.

A second stage of work is expected to begin on Monday 12 October, subject to the first stage finishing on schedule.

This stage will run for a further five weeks and focus mainly on the junction of Clifton Road, Chute Street and Clifton Street, along with road marking improvements where Clifton Road meets Albert Street, Lower Albert Street and Portland Street. As with the current phase, roads will stay open for most of the work, with a further three-night closure expected towards the end for resurfacing.

The council said traffic management would be monitored throughout and adjusted where necessary to reduce disruption, though the programme is weather dependent and dates could change.

The scheme is funded by Sport England and is being delivered jointly by Devon County Council and Exeter City Council's Live and Move programme. It has been shaped by residents, businesses and community groups over the past five years. Earlier work this year delivered upgrades around Triangle Car Park, Russell Street and Clifton Hill, including new cycle parking, improved crossing points, planting and signage.

Exeter City Councillor Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Healthy Living, said: "As the lead councillor overseeing this project for Exeter City Council, I am delighted to see the next phase getting underway." He added: "These improvements will make it safer and easier for people of all ages and abilities to walk, wheel and cycle through Newtown, delivering another positive result from the city and county councils working together with the local community."

Devon County Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: "It's great to see work continuing on the Newtown Community Scheme. This next phase will help make journeys around Newtown easier, safer and more accessible, while creating a more welcoming environment for residents, visitors and businesses."

Devon County Councillor Thomas Richardson, representing St Sidwell's and St James, thanked residents for their patience, saying: "Thank you to the residents of Newtown for their continued patience. It's exciting to see the next phase of the scheme get underway, bringing us closer to a quieter, more pleasant route for pedestrians and cyclists."