A £70,000 traffic scheme to reduce speeds and improve safety in Exminster has been agreed.

Plans have been approved after Exminster Parish Council asked Devon County Council to investigate and undertake a feasibility study of sites across the village.

The plans include: updated terminal signs on entry to village; parallel crossing of Main Road near the M5 flyover; vehicle activated signage; a buildout of the footway at the bus stops by Milbury Farm Meadow and a Zebra crossing of Main Road at the junction with Reddaway Drive.

The parish council has also resolved to implement a new 20mph speed limit from the start of Days Pottles Lane to the current 30mph limit terminal sign through the Devon County Council 20mph community self-funding scheme.

Proposals for ways to make sites across the village safer were first suggested in 2024 when the parish council looked at updating the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

This identified a need for traffic calming and improved pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities in the village.

The Main Road ‘corridor’ is a key route for vehicle, pedestrian and cycle traffic into and out of the village.

The parish council identified that the speed of vehicles travelling along Main Road may be perceived as unsafe by those walking, wheeling and cycling through and around the village.

Feedback collected during consultation also indicated concerns with ‘speeding vehicles’ as a form of antisocial behaviour.

Councillors worked with Road Safety Officers to come up with a scheme that encompasses as many of the concerns raised by residents as possible.

Feasibility studies were carried out including traffic speed surveys and collision data analysis.

A spokesman for Exminster Parish Council said: ‘The intention is that the proposals will bring down average vehicle speeds and create a more pleasant and accessible environment along Main Road for pedestrians, cyclist and those using bus services.

‘The first step is the design work, estimated to cost £70,000, and the parish council will be funding this from Community Infrastructure Levy.’