A NEW roundabout at Whiddon Down to combat the problem of speeding in the village was given approval at a meeting of county traffic chiefs last week.

Funding of almost £90,000 was secured for the new roundabout on the A382 at the junction with the C774, at a meeting of the West Devon highways and traffic orders committee in Tavistock on Friday.

The need for action was demonstrated by studies conducted by highway officials at Whiddon Down, which found every vehicle measured was travelling in excess of the 30mph limit.

Cllr Bill Cann, Hatherleigh and Chagford ward member, spoke at the meeting to urge the committee to support the project, which has an estimated total cost of £87,400.

?It?s not a very good junction there at present,? he said.

The new roundabout would ?reduce speed in Whiddon Down and make a better access for people travelling to Chagford and Moretonhampstead,? he added.

The report by local service officer Graham Atkins presented to the committee stated: ?Whiddon Down has suffered as the former through-route on the old A30.

?The current road layout is out-of-date and its alignment through the village is still one of a trunk road with associated width and sweeping bends.?

Mr Atkins? report noted that speed checks taken near the Happy Hogs shop, found every vehicle measured was travelling in excess of the 30mph limit.

?Clearly, this impacts on the local environment, village life and presents a significant hazard to vehicles travelling off and onto the A382, which currently takes the majority of traffic.?

Approach speeds to Whiddon Down from Sticklepath will be reduced by the scheme and the priorities at the junction will be addressed.

The roundabout design incorporates a central island, which will be covered in grass to retain the rural nature of the area.

The report outlined other possible advantages of the roundabout: Whiddon Down residents were likely to feel safer walking and cycling through the village and noise pollution on the edge of Dartmoor National Park would be reduced.

The roundabout forms part of a package of measures in Whiddon Down, including a new footway to the service station and two bus shelters.