Exeter leaders have pledged to act on a public wish-list calling for safer streets and city centre amid a five-year plan to bring people together.
City centre safety tops the wish-list for people in Exeter as the city sets out on a strategy for the next five years, writes local democracy reporter Guy Henderson.
The city council asked for input on its action plans for the heart of Exeter between now and 2031, and ‘safety and accessibility’ came out on top of the public poll.
“We have an amazing city centre that is thriving,” said the council’s strategic director for place Ian Collinson. “The aim is to build on that success and ensure that the heart of the city remains strong.”
Members of the council’s executive endorsed the City Centre Strategy 2026-2031 document and called for the city’s groups and organisations to work together to deliver it.
Cllr Lucy Findlay, portfolio holder for culture and the city centre, said the plan sets out ‘a clear and ambitious direction for the heart of Exeter.’ Photo: Exeter City Council.
The strategy says Exeter currently ranks in the top one per cent of UK retail destinations, and the aim is to build on this by making the city centre a ‘vibrant live-work-play destination’.
Challenges include anti-social behaviour, congestion, difficult economic conditions and the quantity of student accommodation in the area.
People taking part in the consultation said they wanted more police on the streets, better CCTV and well-lit spaces. They wanted empty shops to be put to good use, more trees and public art.
Other priorities included improving walkable, safe “green streets” and active travel routes, backing independent traders and encouraging better housing for families, professionals, older residents and students.
“This strategy sets out a clear and ambitious direction for the heart of Exeter,” said Cllr Lucy Findlay (Lab, Alphington), who holds the portfolio for culture and the city centre.
Now a new partnership group will be set up involving the council and various key partners and stakeholders to create an action plan with specific targets.
Initiatives will also include making parks and public spaces more inviting, reimagining Musgrave Row and improving connections between the city centre, the Quay and St David’s.
“This is about bringing together all the different interests that make our city centre so special,” said Cllr Duncan Wood (Lab, Pinhoe).
However, Green group leader Cllr Diana Moore (St Davids) said there were ‘wicked issues’ that had to be addressed, including the provision of public toilets and dealing with the amount of waste generated by the increasing number of homes in the centre of Exeter.
Mr Collinson also said the action plan could include making the arrival into the city better, particularly from the railway station at St Davids.
The new entrance to Exeter Central station, he said, showed what could be achieved when partners such as the council, Network Rail and GWR worked together.
“This council can’t do everything,” he said. “But what it can do is to bring people together.”
