THE burst water main as a result of the recent rains, that has Bannawell Street, Drake Road and Butcher Park Hill currently closed, is definitely causing some inconvenience to the residents of these streets.

However, I cannot be the only resident of the area who is blessing the return to the low volume of heavy goods vehicles of some 20 years ago when we first moved here.

The absence of the noise of screeching brakes and roaring low gears of the heavy lorries as they negotiate their way up and down the long hill is an absolute joy. The HGVs have now, with very few exceptions, discovered the impracticality of using Glanville Road. and Watts Road instead of Bannawell Street and Drake Road to continue their journey and are now using a different route.

This begs the question what route is it they are now using? 

May I politely  suggest to Devon Highways that they discover this route and then sign it up as the one for HGV vehicles so that when the roads are reopened HGVs can be prohibited from using Drake Road and Butcher Park Hill as their route via the Square to and from Plymouth. 

What a blessing this would be for all of us who live anywhere on this route.

David Farrant

Butcher Park Hill 

Tavistock