THE Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council would welcome the opportunity to bring to the notice of the people of the Okehampton area the proposals being made by the Duchy of Cornwall with regard to the loop road which leads south of Okehampton Camp and is sometimes called the 'Ring Road'.

The road is not a public highway but it currently provides approximately seven miles of permissive access to any vehicle.

Many of the tracks in this area have been in existence for centuries — the loop road was one track that was improved in 1956.

The Duchy of Cornwall are now proposing that:-

l The MoD's obligation to maintain the tarmac surface on the Road from Moorgate to East Okement Farm be extended as far as OP22 (Observation Point 22)

l That access for civilian vehicles only south of OP22 be removed

l That access south of the existing barrier at grid reference 597921 be removed

l Improvements to the existing car parking sites at the Sand Pits (grid reference 596923) and the western end of the Cullever Steps track (grid reference 600920)

l The improvement of car parking at the Old Quarry (grid reference 598921)

l A scheme of appropriate, discreetly placed signs to direct public vehicles and to encourage parking at these key sites

l The monitoring of vehicles using the road beyond the car parks before OP22 to establish whether passing bays are required on this section.

l Two of the existing car parking spaces at OP22 will be designated as a turning area.

The above proposals will obviously restrict where people can drive especially places like New Bridge etc, particularly impacting the less mobile amongst us.

If you have any comments with regard to the proposals, please send them to The Clerk, Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council, Westwinds, Broomhill, Chagford, Newton Abbot TQ13 8DD.

Derek Webber

Chairman and on behalf of

Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council