FEARS over the safety of residents and drivers in Whitchurch have sparked a new campaign for action.

Concerned residents attended a public meeting in Whitchurch Village Hall last week, to discuss their ongoing issues with traffic since the installation of the controversial 'Rural Gateway'.

The meeting, was organised by Plaisterdown Parish councillor Sue Spackman, with the aim that any recurring issues be included in a report to the West Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC).

The main concerns raised at the meeting were the volume of traffic using Whitchurch Road and the speed at which cars were driven, with mixed views about whether the Rural Gateway — the 500-yard stretch of road changed from two-way to single-track between Whitchurch and Horrabridge to calm traffic — was working or not.

Resident David Russell said: 'I recorded the number of cars which passed my house in one hour in the morning and there were 270.

'I can't get out of my house between 7.30am and 8.30am because of the amount of cars. The traffic calming works because there is an obvious pattern of cars coming through — a break where cars have to stop to let other traffic through.

'I have worked out I have about six seconds to get out of my house.'

Lorraine Turner agreed: 'I am pleased to hear some support for the Rural Gateway. I think it does slow traffic but there are probably more ideal solutions. If the anti Rural Gateway lobby do manage to get rid of it, I beg that something more effective is put in in its place. If there is nothing it would be absolute murder.'

David Somerfeld from Grenofen said: 'The plan for the Rural Gateway was never discussed, it was something that was inflicted on this locality. If it had been discussed we could've come to a much more sensible solution. All we're asking is to have our views heard by HATOC and Devon County Council. It is time democracy kicked in.'

Mr Somerfeld suggested that speed was the main priority.

Ian Goodfellow agreed that speeding was an issue.

He said: 'The pace of traffic between the vicarage and the crossroads is absolutely phenomenal. You find cars hammering along there because people are so pleased to get past all the congestion and onto a stretch of road. That stretch needs some calming.'

Priory Close resident Mike Woodley said that one day there would be a fatal accident and suggested that traffic should be pushed back onto the A386 'where it belongs'.

Another resident asked: 'How many people have to be killed before we are listened to?'

David Cloke, Horrabridge resident and West Devon Borough councillor said: 'We need to be looking towards some sort of remedy. We really need some solutions that can be presented to Devon County Highways.'

Some of the solutions mentioned at the meeting included installation of 'sleeping policemen', better signage, flashing signs telling drivers what speed they are travelling at and lower speed limits.

Town, borough and county councillor for Tavistock Debo Sellis said she was 100 per cent behind the residents.

'We recognise that all the parish councils dotted around this area are affected by these issues,' said Cllr Sellis.

'You really need to collect evidence-based data. Anyone who's had a wing mirror bumped off or car scratched needs to report it. I want to reassure you, you are being listened to.'

It was agreed that several residents would form a working party to produce a report listing their issues with the road and possible solutions, which could be presented to HATOC.

Mrs Spackman said: 'We don't want to rush this. We need to ensure that what we're suggesting meets all the regulations. There is so much history of people getting knocked back at the first post. If we are going to do this, let's get it right first time.'

It is hoped the report will be presented to HATOC at the meeting scheduled for June 2011.