The East Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee met on Monday 20 July 2026, electing Councillor Paul Hayward as Chair and Councillor Jess Bailey as Vice-Chair. The committee endorsed a proposal to reduce the speed limit on a section of the A376 Clyst St Mary from the national speed limit to 50mph on dual carriageway sections and 40mph on single-lane sections. A decision on proposed waiting restrictions on South Farm Road, Budleigh Salterton, was deferred pending a site visit.

Proposed Waiting Restrictions - South Farm Road, Budleigh Salterton

The committee discussed proposed waiting restrictions on South Farm Road, Budleigh Salterton, which were put forward following concerns about obstructive parking affecting agricultural vehicles and delivery lorries. The original proposal was for no waiting at any time restrictions. However, after considering public consultation responses, officers recommended relaxing these restrictions on the eastern end of South Farm Road to allow for approximately 13 parking spaces, an increase from the initially proposed four.

Councillor Helen Brown supported the officer's recommendation, highlighting the safety concerns for larger vehicles using the road. Councillor Jess Bailey, however, expressed reservations about the modified proposal, suggesting it might encourage drivers to park on the road rather than use the designated car park, potentially leading to safety issues. Councillor Nick Hookway argued for the original, more stringent restrictions, emphasizing the safety benefits for all road users, including cyclists. Councillor Cathy Connor questioned the rationale behind the proposed relaxation, particularly on the western section.

Ultimately, the committee decided to defer the decision pending a site visit, which will include the Chair and local County Councillors, to gain a better understanding of the situation on the ground.

50mph / 40mph Speed Limit - A376 Clyst St Mary

The committee endorsed the officer recommendation to implement a Traffic Regulation Order reducing the speed limit on the A376 between the Clyst St Mary and Clyst St George roundabouts. The proposal will see the speed limit reduced from the national speed limit of 70mph to 50mph on the two-lane southbound sections and to 40mph on the single-lane northbound section.

This decision was made following an analysis of collision data, which identified this stretch of the A376 as a high-risk area, with a significantly higher rate of killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties compared to similar rural roads. The report highlighted that careless, reckless or in a hurry was the most common contributory factor in collisions, and a high proportion occurred in darkness or when the road was wet.

Several councillors, including Councillor Henry Gent and Councillor Jeffrey Trail BEM, spoke in favour of the speed reduction, citing the road's dangerous nature and the need to improve safety. Councillor Trail specifically advocated for a consistent 40mph limit along the entire stretch. Councillor Helen Brown acknowledged the need for speed reduction but expressed concerns about driver compliance on the dual carriageway sections, suggesting that speed cameras might be necessary. Councillor Denise Bickley inquired about the possibility of extending the 40mph limit to a specific section near a property that had been involved in previous accidents.

James Anstee, the Road Safety Manager for Devon County Council, explained that reducing the speed limit to 40mph on the southbound section would require a new Traffic Regulation Order process. He also noted that while speed cameras are not installed for revenue generation, they are considered where there is a history of collisions and poor speed compliance.

The committee ultimately voted to implement the Traffic Regulation Order as advertised, with Councillor Nick Hookway proposing and Councillor Henry Gent seconding the motion.

Bus Users and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum

A verbal update was provided on the Bus Users and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum meeting. Councillor Paul Dumper, who attended as a representative, noted that while there was positive discussion regarding the introduction of an electric vehicle (EV) fleet, he expressed concerns about the disparity between the talk and the reality on the ground, and the general decline in bus services in the area. He highlighted the importance of increased funding and priority for bus services, especially in light of climate change priorities. Councillor Jess Bailey echoed these concerns, pointing out that a lack of investment makes bus travel less attractive and reliable, creating a cycle of declining usage. Councillor Trail BEM congratulated a new member of the Devon Bus team, Luke Free, for his efforts in engaging with Stagecoach and addressing issues with specific bus routes. He also noted that while some routes in the Exmouth and Sidmouth area were functioning well, services in Axminster were limited, forcing people to use cars. The discussion concluded with an acknowledgement that funding remains a significant challenge for bus services.

Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The committee noted a report detailing actions taken under delegated powers regarding traffic regulation orders since the last meeting. This included updates to resolve discrepancies in traffic orders, the introduction of no waiting at any time restrictions in various locations such as Station Road, Broadclyst, and Skypark, and changes to disabled parking bays in Exmouth and Sidmouth. The report also noted that proposals for a restricted parking zone in Stone Barton, Cranbrook, were dropped after objections were considered, and a Toucan Crossing was implemented in Dinan Way, Exmouth.