TRAFFIC snarl-ups in Crowndale Road should soon become a thing of the past, with the introduction of a clearway order due to be implemented shortly, writes Ann Parsons. Parking along the road on either side of the entrance into Tavistock College and outside Tavistock Primary School and clinic entrance has long caused traffic flow problems, with the road being completely blocked on occasions. Senior traffic engineer Paul Marshall this week confirmed a clearway order would be advertised by the county council ?in the next few weeks?, to prevent the parking of any vehicles. ?Some people would have liked us to progress faster, but it?s a matter of priorities,? he said. The order will extend for 700 metres from the junction with the A386, along Crowndale Road, past the bus depot and entrance to Langsford Park and the college?s sports ground. Mr Marshall said the 30mph speed limit would be extended to the same place. ?Parking on the road has a knock-on effect on road safety and the road network. Queues around Drake?s Statue often are a result of cars being unable to enter Crowndale Road, which affects other roads,? he said. The council anticipated the order coming into effect in June. Mr Marshall said the first phase of a footway scheme linking the A386 to the college entrance was due to be implemented, with a pathway being created along the top of the bank running parallel to the road, ?part of a sustainable trip to and from the college?. Phase two of the scheme will link this path with Langsford Park. The county council will also be progressing the national cycle network at the southern end of the sports ground and the new speed limit will cover the area it is due to cross the road. The council hopes these initiatives will encourage students to walk or cycle to school, rather than use cars. ?There is a lot of activity in that area,? said Mr Marshall. Acting college principal Chris Powell said congestion caused by parking was ?obviously a huge problem?. Mr Powell said: ?It affects both ends of the day, but is more of a problem in the afternoon when all the coaches are together. We have to have staff there to supervise, but some people are not willing to be supervised.? A spokesman for Tavistock police said they were aware of the problem and ?a lot of residents? had wanted a clearway put in. The town traffic warden warned that he regularly patrolled the area and would be issuing tickets to cars parked from the 30mph limit to the Red and Black Club at Langsford Park, where there was a blind corner, until the clearway order came into effect.
