Motorists and cyclists at odds over design of Pinbrook Road crossing
Concerns have been raised about a cycle path arrangement in Exeter that a councillor says places cyclists in the blind spot of drivers turning left into Pinbrook Road, producing frequent arguments between road users and a risk of collisions.
Councillor Ed Hill (Independent, Pinhoe & Mincinglake) recorded video of himself driving the route to demonstrate the problem. He says the position and angle of the cycle path mean drivers cannot see approaching cyclists until the last moment when making a left turn from the carriageway.
“I’ve had loads of complaints about the junction, and the garage opposite complained it was dangerous,” Councillor Hill said. “There are always arguments between cyclists and drivers.”
Because drivers are required to give way to cyclists at the crossing, Councillor Hill said the layout puts motorists in an almost impossible situation when the cyclist is hidden in a blind spot. While his filmed drive allowed him to stop in time, he warned that a driver travelling even slightly faster could be unable to avoid a collision.
Official response and local reaction
Devon County Council told reporters it has not received any complaints from residents about the junction and that the set-up follows national guidance. The council's comment contrasts with the claims of local businesses and workers who, according to Councillor Hill, came out while he was assessing the location to tell him they regarded it as dangerous.
The disagreement highlights a familiar tension in urban transport planning: changes intended to improve safety and encourage cycling can produce new conflicts if visibility or driver expectations are not addressed. At this site, the geometry of the road and cycle path appears to be the trigger for the disputes between drivers and cyclists.
Who is involved and what they say
- Councillor Ed Hill has filmed the junction to show cyclists emerging from a blind spot and has received complaints from local businesses.
- Motorists using the left-turn into Pinbrook Road say the cycle line is difficult to see until it is almost too late to react.
- Devon County Council maintains the junction layout follows national guidance and has no record of complaints from residents.
| Stakeholder | Position |
|---|---|
| Cllr Ed Hill | Warns of danger; filmed the junction; reports complaints from businesses |
| Motorists/local businesses | Report arguments with cyclists; say visibility is poor |
| Devon County Council | Says junction follows national guidance; no complaints recorded |
The filmed evidence shown by Councillor Hill included a moment when a cyclist emerged from the blind spot while he was travelling at a snail’s pace; because he was moving slowly he was able to stop in time. That near-miss is cited as the primary reason for the councillor’s call for attention to the layout.
Implications for road safety and next steps
Residents and road users who feel a junction is unsafe can make formal representations to the county council, which is responsible for highway design and maintenance. The council’s insistence that the layout complies with national guidance does not prevent a local review; guidance leaves scope for adjustments where site conditions or observed conflicts suggest improvements are needed.
The dispute at Pinbrook Road underscores how small changes to road geometry can alter sightlines and expectations for motorists and cyclists alike. For a city that promotes active travel and faces the practicalities of mixed traffic in narrow urban streets, reconciling those aims with clear, unambiguous junctions will remain a matter for councillors, highway officers and the communities who use the routes daily.
For now, the disagreement continues: one side has video evidence and local complaints, the other points to compliance with national standards. Either way, the conversation has been reopened in Exeter about how best to keep people safe when bike lanes and vehicle routes intersect.
