OKEHAMPTON is in a wonderful position, both in terms of geographical locality as well its prospects for the future. The town's population is set to rise dramatically as a result of the new housing developments and consequently the town's traders should be looking forward to a decade filled with prosperity. There are, however, some very fundamental obstacles to overcome.

What is the point in giving repeated planning consent for new residential building when no attention is given to improving the infrastructure of the community?

In order to succeed we need to immediately address the traffic flow problems of Okehampton and also provide the local population with the amenities required.

If we don't sort out the traffic quickly it is all too easy for people to jump in their cars and drive away from Okehampton to shop in Exeter or Tavistock. More empty shops will then plague Fore Street.

If we are not forthcoming with better leisure facilities it will be harder to fill these new houses with residents who will be an asset to our community.

As someone who has worked from School Way for nearly 17 years I have been fully exposed to the traffic frustrations of Okehampton pre and post by-pass. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but unfortunately, as experience has shown, the bypass was built on the wrong side of Okehampton.

The town needs to have a north/east link road so that traffic can actually flow. For me the ideal route would be to develop the Oaklands Drive link to North Road. This would ensure quick and easy access to the new Waitrose car park. This scheme should be a priority for the town and county council.

When you visit the leisure facilities enjoyed by towns similar in size to Okehampton you realise how far behind we have slipped.

Okehampton urgently needs an integrated leisure complex. For too long, we have been expecting families to walk along a muddy, poorly lit path littered with broken concrete in order to go swimming.

For too long, users of the excellent all-weather pitch, sports hall, gym and squash courts have had to make do with inadequate changing facilities.

With very little imagination it would be easy to enhance the beauty of Simmons Park by creating an integrated complex rather than rejuvenating the sporadic satellite development we have at present.

Let's grasp the opportunity our town has to thrive. Let's insist that our town planners address our communities' needs and quickly.

Philip Davies

Drake's Acre

Sticklepath