A REQUEST to install a cattle grid at the top of Chollacott Lane in Tavistock has been given the thumbs down by town councillors. Tavistock Cricket Club had written to the council to make the request, which it felt would make access easier to the pitch on Whitchurch Down. Club president Stuart Munday said: ?We have experienced problems, this season in particular, with disabled people having to leave their cars in order to open the gate on to the Downs. ?It should also be pointed out that someone disabled does not easily manoeuvre the large gate, with its spring fastening.? Mr Munday said the club realised there had been opposition in the past to the installation of a gate, but felt a compromise could be reached with a grid and a gate. ?The gate could then be left open only on match days during the summer, with an undertaking that the last person to leave the club would ensure the gate was again closed. ?As a club we consider the needs of the disabled should be taken into account,? said Mr Munday. Town clerk Roger Howard last week told members of the council?s properties committee that he had conducted a survey of residents in the Chollacott Lane area several years ago, regarding the gate issue: ?Only two were in favour, 22 were opposed and seven were really very strongly against such a change and the then council decided it would not go ahead with it.? Col Howard said a new gate would cost at least £2,500, plus installation costs. Cllr Ted Sherrell said the issue had been treated democratically ? he estimated at least 75% of the residents consulted previously still lived in the area and saw no reason to undertake any further action. The committee agreed the clerk should write to the cricket club, encouraging it to find alternative ways of solving their disabled access problem.
