Campaigners in Exeter have blocked 70 vehicles from using a buses-only road by acting as so-called human bollards. The protesters are demanding police and Devon County Council enforce bus gate restrictions on Ladysmith Road and Whipton Lane.
The bus gates were installed as part of the controversial Heavitree and Whipton Active Streets Trial. Campaigners claimed a cyclist and her baby were hit by a car in what they described as a 'crush of drivers' ignoring the bus gate.
Supporters of the trial say it makes streets cleaner and safer, but opponents argue it lengthens journeys and increases congestion and pollution on surrounding roads. Monday's action was backed by the national group Safe Streets Now.
Exeter spokesman Caspar Hughes called the event a success, saying there was lots of support from parents and even a taxi driver. 'It needs to be safe for kids to go to school on scooters, and the best way is to remove drivers from the roads outside,' he said.
Hughes criticised authorities for failing to enforce the restrictions, saying they appear to blame each other. 'Our demand is that police work with the council to provide resources, using video evidence and random patrols. It shouldn't be for parents to police it.'
