PROPOSALS for a total redesign of Yelverton's roundabout and its approaches could be a repeat of the 'shambles' of the Whitchurch Gateway, a village resident fears.

The proposed changes may include new bus lanes and a re-routing of the top end of Meavy Lane in front of St Paul's Church.

But resident Bob Crosbie says this would reduce the already limited number of parking spaces in the village.

Mr Crosbie says the forecourt car park already suffers from serious congestion, which he believes is caused by poor design, inadequate signing and lack of sufficient parking spaces.

'I hope that this plan is not going to be "forced" through like the idiotic and costly Whitchurch scheme,' said Mr Crosbie — a reference to the controversial Whitchurch Gateway scheme, which was introduced two years ago.

Mr Crosbie said he wanted the proposals within the Yelverton roundabout scheme to be made available. He urged Devon County Council to make the proposals public and let the people of Yelverton consider their merit.

'It could well be this plan is a good idea, but as long as secrecy is maintained, concern is going to continue,' he said.

Yelverton's Devon County Cllr Greta Madigan said the proposals were still at an early stage, but consultation with the people of Yelverton would be carried out to gauge whether there would be any support for carrying out such an expensive project, which could cost around £100,000.

Cllr Madigan said the Yelverton 'interchange proposals' were intended to improve the attractiveness of the commercial centre of the village, provide greater access to public transport and increase safety.

She said there had been a number of accidents where vehicles left the roundabout and joined the Plymouth road.

'It's an expensive scheme and at the moment it is about to go to the parish council. It's very much at the consultation stage,' she said.

Cllr Madigan said she had not committed her support to the project.

'The scheme does have merits, but it is expensive and I would have to be sure that it was well supported locally before deciding on it.'

Cllr Madigan said there were major concerns about long-term parking in Yelverton forecourt which obstructed shoppers who wanted to park for a short time and use the village shops.

Yelverton butcher Paul Huggins said he was upset and frustrated by the present extent of day-long parking in spaces intended for shoppers.

'We lose hordes of customers because of it. They come round once and twice, can't find a space, and they give in and go somewhere else, which is understandable.

'Lots of customers say they won't be coming here because they can't park. It's really frustrating as a business owner.'

The Yelverton project has come about through the local transport plan which makes government money available to improve access to public transport for those who do not drive or for people who normally travel to work by car.

Devon County Council's local services officer Mike Parnell said the project was still being drawn up, and no final decisions on the impact upon parking had been taken.

Yelverton residents will soon get the chance to view the interchange proposals and make up their own minds.

'The plans are still being drawn up, but we will start consultation as soon as possible,' said Mr Parnell.