Dear Herald Express,

I watched with interest on the lunchtime edition of BBC Spotlight news (Thurs 25^th Nov.) when they reported on a business forum meeting held in Torquay to discuss the recently submitted planning application for the Kingskerswell Bypass.

I say with interest as this was the first time I have seen Ed Chorlton from Devon County Council, publicly admit there is no funding for the proposed bypass. In fact the main topic of debate at the meeting he attended was to discuss alternative funding proposals (council tax payers beware!).

Where does this leave us? Well sadly after 30 years of inactivity, we are no further forward. So who are the losers? The answer is all of us; especially the residents of Kingskerswell and the motoring public.

If this planning application were to succeed then we would all be destined to a future of uncertainty in which Devon County Council would continue in failing to deliver a traffic solution; after all there are cost effective measures that could be introduced now.

The only work Devon County Council have ever carried out on the A380 between Torquay and Penn Inn has resulted in more congestion and longer journey times. There are now plans for two further sets of pedestrian controlled lights to be installed and whilst I support measures to protect pedestrian safety, I am concerned that the highways authority are gradually choking that road as a means to an end. They are certainly guilty of falsely raising public expectation whilst fueling motorists anger and frustration.

The bypass supporters are unlikely to concede defeat, mainly because there are millions of pounds to be made on the in-fill development that will follow. So what can we do? Well those who truly want an effective traffic solution should take this opportunity to register their concerns (see the address below). If the bypass proposals were rejected, then Devon County Council will have to extract it’s head from the clouds and come forward with some realistic proposals, phase one being the much needed Penn Inn fly over.

Lastly I would say this to the joint authorities, offering us a £75m solution which can’t be funded is offering no solution at all.

Yours sincerely – P. Bright. Parish Cllr. for Kingskerswell

The address to register your views is:

Mr. M Deaton,
Devon County Council,
Environment Directorate,
Lucombe House,
County Hall,
Topsham Road,
Exeter,
EX2 4QW