Major bus corridor upgrades hit Exeter roads this February

Commuters and residents in Exeter are set to see roadworks along two of the city’s main bus corridors as Devon County Council begins a series of improvements designed to prioritise buses and improve reliability. 

The works form part of Devon’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which underwent public consultation in early 2024 and was approved by the council later that year.

The first phase of works will focus on Heavitree Road, where new bus priority pre-signals are being installed at the end of the outbound bus lane on the approach to the junction with Polsloe Road and Barrack Road. 

The improvements aim to give buses leaving the lane a smoother journey towards Heavitree Fore Street or Barrack Road.

READ NEXT: Exeter rail journeys surge council pushes public transport to meet Net Zero goals

Construction on Heavitree Road is scheduled to run from 2 February to 28 February 2026. While much of the work will be carried out overnight to minimise disruption, some eastbound lane closures will take place during the day for safety reasons. 

A new traffic island is being constructed, and resurfacing of the carriageway between Grendon Road and Polsloe Road is also planned. 

Residents and drivers should expect temporary suspensions of on-street parking and footpath closures, with clearly signed diversion routes in place via Magdalen Road, Barrack Road, Topsham Road, Holloway Street, Magdalen Street, Western Way and back to Heavitree Road.

These interventions build on previous bus lane enhancements completed across the city in 2025, including upgrades on Pinhoe Road, Heavitree Fore Street, North Street, and Honiton Road. 

On these corridors, improvements included extending and resurfacing lanes, applying red surfacing to bus lanes, updating signage, and adjusting operational times to improve clarity for drivers and bus users.

For example, Pinhoe Road inbound bus lanes, previously operating Monday to Friday 8am–9:30am, have been extended to operate Monday to Saturday 7am–10am, while Heavitree Fore Street inbound lanes now operate 7am–10am and 4pm–7pm. 

These changes are designed to give buses priority during peak travel times and ensure clearer separation from general traffic.

The wider programme of works also includes technological upgrades to traffic signals across both corridors and is part of a series of improvements across Devon, including A3015 Rydon Lane in Exeter, Cowley Bridge, and South West Exeter, alongside other highway resurfacing and micro-asphalt projects.

Devon County Council advises road users and residents to plan ahead and follow local signage for diversions.