Devon County Council has unveiled plans to introduce new traffic regulations on two key streets in the heart of Exeter. The proposals, which focus on Queen Street and Paul Street near the EX4 3SH postcode, were formally announced in a public notice published on Thursday, 8 January 2026.
What Do The Proposed Exeter Traffic Orders Involve?
The council is seeking to implement two separate orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The first is an amendment to waiting controls on Queen Street. This would introduce new 'Loading at Any Time' and 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions on specific sections of the road.
The second is a Prohibition of Vehicles order for a defined length of Paul Street, specifically targeting northeast-bound traffic. Crucially, the authority has confirmed that no existing road markings will be altered as part of these changes.
Exemptions to the new rules will follow standard practice. These will include provisions for picking up or setting down passengers, loading and unloading goods, and vehicles displaying a valid Blue Badge for disabled persons.
How To View The Plans And Have Your Say
All draft orders, supporting plans, and statements of reasons are available for public scrutiny. They can be accessed online via the council’s dedicated Traffic Regulation Orders webpage. For those without internet access, free bookable computer time is available at Devon Libraries.
Hard copies of the documents can also be viewed during normal office hours at County Hall on Topsham Road in Exeter (EX2 4QD). The council is particularly encouraging road users, local residents, and businesses on the affected streets to review the proposals.
Anyone who has concerns or believes they may be adversely impacted is urged to submit a formal representation. All objections and comments must be received by the deadline of Thursday, 29 January 2026.
Next Steps For The Exeter Traffic Proposals
Submissions can be sent in writing to the Director of Legal and Democratic Services at County Hall or made online through the council’s TRO portal. The council notes that while receipt may not be acknowledged, all submissions made by the deadline will be considered.
Personal details will be kept confidential in line with the council’s privacy policy. However, anonymised comments will be passed to members of the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) for final decision-making. The plans, alongside the anonymised feedback, will form the basis of HATOC’s review.
The case references for tracking are imr/DEV001/1474 and website refs 6225/6226. For the most detailed information, residents should consult the Public Notice Portal entry or the council’s own Traffic Regulation Orders information page.
