A MOVE to scrap the controversial Whitchurch rural gateway narrowly failed last Friday.

Plasterdown Parish Council, backed by West Devon, Horrabridge and Tavistock councils, asked West Devon's highways and traffic orders committee to restore two-way working to the single track stretch of road at Grenofen 'as soon as possible'.

Cllr Ian Walton, Plasterdown Parish Council chairman, said: 'The parish council has been concerned about the gateway ever since it was constructed. We feel it was badly designed and really, it wasn't necessary.'

Cllr Walton said the passing places were too short and narrow and the council foresaw problems in future when changes due to be made in the Anderton Lane area took place.

He said the gateway was constructed without any local consultation — it should be removed as soon as possible and a simple 30mph speed limit imposed in its place, said Cllr Walton.

Cllr Iain Andrews, speaking for Tavistock Town Council, said the gateway was 'dangerous' and caused gridlock when traffic was diverted along it following accidents on the A386.

Cllr Peter Masoli, speaking for Horrabridge Parish Council, said it fully supported and endorsed the call to get rid of the gateway.

'We have noticed the gateway encourages motorists to speed and race through the chicanes — it increases frustration and encourages road-rage. I travel that road, on average, six times a day and I see many of these instances,' said Cllr Masoli.

Cllr Roger Mathew proposed the gateway issue should be referred to the county council's executive, for a review of it — and the original reports concerning its construction.

Cllr Mathew said the gateway was 'irrelevant' to the problem of motorists speeding past Whitchurch School and was 'an element too far' of a scheme designed to combat this problem.

'This is not going to go away, it's still causing as much flack as ever and will irritate us until there is a change,' said Cllr Mathew, who said the combined weight of four councils, plus pressure from the borough's MP, ought to be enough to persuade the committee that there was a problem.

And Cllr Dick Eberlie urged further investigations into the gateway, pending additional housing at Bishopsmead in future, plus changes at Anderton Lane.

Chairman of the committee Cllr Gretta Madigan said she used to live in the Whitchurch Road area and had seen traffic become heavier and faster through the years. She said the gateway was conceived in an effort to 'replicate a country road' and encourage drivers to slow down and use more care.

'I can see no problem with the operation of the gateway — I can see it from my field and it works very well,' said Cllr Madigan, who said the police supported the scheme and accident and speed statistics proved it had been effective.

Cllr Bill Cann said he had watched traffic using the gateway that morning.

'I saw people being very courteous to one another, I saw traffic slow right down and go very slowly through into the village,' said Cllr Cann. 'The thing is not perfect but it's done what it should do, slow traffic down to a speed which is suitable.'

Local service officer Brian George said a review of injury accidents revealed decreasing rates following the construction of the gateway — speeds had dropped from an alleged 60mph to 39-40mph and traffic flows had decreased from 4,106 vehicles a day to 3,241 vehicles a day.

Mr George said: 'The police support the scheme and Devon County Council is satisfied, as evidenced, that it is working effectively and achieving its objectives as part of the overall scheme for Whitchurch Road.'

Cllr Christine Marsh and Cllr Dennis Bater supported Cllr Mathew's request for a review of the gateway. Cllr Madigan, Cllr Cann and Cllr Roy Connelly rejected it. The proposal fell on the casting vote of the chairman.

The gateway was installed in 2000, part of a £26,000 package of traffic calming measures, including an 'urban' gateway at the Tavistock end of Whitchurch Road and a 20mph speed limit by Whitchurch School.