FOLLOWING Cllr Mathews' comments (Letters July 4) I believe it now to be important to give a little more background on the Rural Gateway.

When originally agreeing to the scheme the Partnership Committee at that time, of which, incidentally Cllr Mathew was a member, requested that this be assessed over a 12-month period and that a monitoring report then be brought back to them.

The report by officers was brought before the new Partnership Committee in December 2001. This was an opportunity to recommend small changes, major changes, or even its removal.

West Devon Borough Council had at that time and still does, have the largest group of councillors who sit on the Partnership Committee. However, on the day that the monitoring report was presented and voted on two borough councillors failed to turn up and another voted to accept the report.

Incidentally, I challenged the officers and voted to reject the report. The outcome of the vote taken resulted in the monitoring report being noted and no changes being considered.

After failing to secure major changes, and immediately after that meeting in December 2001, I campaigned for improvements, which has led to the recent changes. Those borough councillors who failed to provide support when it was needed (in December 2001) are now along with Cllr Mathew shedding crocodile tears, critical of the changes now achieved.

The complete removal of the Rural Gateway would give a very clear signal that motorists can continue to travel at excessive speed along this country lane and that the ability to speed is given a higher priority to that of the safety of children and others in Whitchurch Road, particularly those living in the section between Whitchurch Post Office and the town boundary.

At no time before, during and after my election as a county councillor have I campaigned or made statements for the removal of the Rural Gateway. More needs to be done to improve the safety of Whitchurch Road throughout its entire length, but complete removal of the Gateway will not help to achieve this aim.

Roy Connelly

Tavistock Town and County Councillor