I WAS interested to read the article on the subject of a north-south bypass for Callington.

My main concern is the route through the town at Newport and past the community college where there is a blind bend, the road narrows and there is inadequate pavement provision. It is something of a miracle that there hasn't been a serious incident at this site, although there have been many accidents and damaged vehicles.

Highways had planned an eastern route bypass which was to follow on from the Viverdon Down new road and which routed from Dupath and on to Florence Road then back on to Launceston Road. Unfortunately this was not pursued, largely through opposition from town councillors at the time — the thinking being that the prosperity of the town was directly proportional to the volume of heavy traffic passing through it, a myth, I think, but it is why we are where we are now, with a much increased volume of traffic.

Clearly, logic favours an eastern route because that is where the industrial estate is from which emanates much of the through HGV traffic. It was also part of the Callington Town Plan produced in 2005 when Callington and Kelly Bray residents were all consulted.

Readers may recall that Florence Road was in fact used, without detriment, as the through route for about a year some 25 years ago when Back Lane was closed for substantial works. It was okay for HGVs then, albeit slightly smaller, and it is still in good condition, compared with most of the roads in and around Callington. I'm not sure where the quoted subsidence is supposed to be but I see no change in the road over 40 years of driving it, except for minor deterioration in a few places and bearing in mind that it has not been resurfaced for about 30 years, that is to be expected.

No-one expects an instant result in the present climate but without a firm plan the town will be not be able to press its case when funding does become available.

Comparisons with Dobwalls and St Mellion are not really valid because of the comparative scale of the former and the early tie in of other major development top the latter. They did, however, have one thing in common, they had the strong support of both their county councillor and the local MP.

As long as there is a less than positive attitude to a north-south bypass on the part of councillors, which I find difficult to comprehend, of course it will never happen. restricting the use of Florence Road, and building bits of pavement, is a step on the road to closing down the possible option of an eastern route bypass.

Reality dictates that a western option is just not in prospect and never really was — so, into the long grass again!

M C Green

Saltash Road

Callington