One of the most alarming issues surrounding the current proposals being put forward, is the lack of proper consultation!

On the 11th December 2001, the Executive Committee of Devon County Council and the Strategic Services Committee of Torbay Council published a joint report concerning the public consultation process concerning the building of the A380 Kingskerswell Bypass.

The proposals outlined in this document have not been adhered to, and here we set out the relevant sections contested:

• Section 3 - Study Objectives and Results

  "The study was designed to examine in detail the current and future transport conditions on the A380 corridor between Newton Abbot and Torbay, with the aim of investigating all available options for reducing the impact of vehicle travel on the study area."
  "The study concluded also that further investigation work would be required in order to minimise the environmental impact of the scheme."

  Comment This has clearly not been done - there are viable, cost effective alternatives; as set out previously [ see "Options" ] on this web site.

• Section 3 - Design Standards Review

  States: "Two layouts have been developed for Public Consultation, both on the same horizontal alignment, but with significantly different vertical profiles especially over the length between Old Newton Road and Yon Street, to the west of the village." and continues...

  "The two alternative schemes are currently being developed such that the proposed public consultation can take place early in the New Year."

  Comment Two layouts may have been developed, but dispite their own policy document; the "Public Consultation" process went ahead with only one proposal! This was the cheaper "above ground" option which will have a very detrimental effect to the quality of life for the residents of Kingskerswell. Matters will be made worse by the backdrop of hills (and cuttings formed during the road building process) to the west of the Bypass, which will form a natural amphitheatre deflecting noise and pollution over the village.

  Maybe that is why there was a distinct lack of any scale models showing exactly what was being proposed. How many visitors could properly interpret the drawings on display? What happened to "Two layouts have been developed for Public Consultation..." and the wish "... to minimise the environmental impact of the scheme." ?