The Kingskerswell Alliance are saddened by the news of the possible closure of the Dairy Crest plant in Totnes and hope that a solution can be found to keep the plant open.

We were dismayed to read an article in the Herald Express of 16 May 2007 (“MPs blame road links for closure – Traffic main reason given by Dairy Crest”) which clearly attempts to use the bad news from Dairy Crest to bolster the case for the Kingskerswell bypass.  Ken Pegden, chairman of the Kingskerswell Alliance said: “It seems that in a desperate bid to justify the scheme its supporters, including local politicians, will try and associate every problem to befall businesses in the area with their belief that a bypass through Kingskerswell is the cure for all ills”

Whilst extremely regrettable, the potential closure of the Dairy Crest plant at Totnes has nothing to do with the proposed Kingskerswell bypass.  The Kingskerswell Alliance has spoken to Sinead Noble, Corporate Communications Manager at Dairy Crest who gave us the following statement when we asked her about comments made in the article: “I've seen the article that you're referring to and I think that it is fair to say that it refers to a phrase out of context. The announcement made to our staff on Monday did give a slightly more detailed explanation and did refer to the fact that Totnes is not near major road networks. This was a reference to the fact that, unlike some of our other dairies and those of our competitors, Totnes is not situated near a motorway junction - it was absolutely not making a comment about local road issues. Also I must emphasise that it was not a principal reason behind the decision taken which was, as I said, the fact that we are unable to expand and modernise the site.”

Although some anger and frustration from local politicians is understandable at this unwelcome news from Totnes, the association to the bypass issue is mischievous and misleading. The Kingskerswell Alliance calls upon Mr Steen and Mr Sanders to ensure that the false impression given through this article is quickly rectified.