A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to ban traffic from a shortcut in Gulworthy has been shelved, following overwhelming public opposition to the scheme.

Devon County Council proposed the one-way stretch of road between New Bridge in Gunnislake and the junction just below Tavistock Woodlands be closed, after statistics revealed there was an accident history at the junction of the shortcut with the main A390.

Brian George, the council's local service officer, last Friday told West Devon's highways and traffic orders committee that 72 letters and a substantial petition had been received by the council regarding the shortcut closure. Only eight people supported the proposal, most of whom were concerned at the speed of traffic entering the short-cut from New Bridge.

Mr George said: 'Many objectors pointed out they would be tempted to use shortcuts closer to Tavistock to by-pass slow moving HGVs, but they considered

these other shortcuts even more dangerous.

'Observations indicated 75% of motorists use the shortcut whether there are slow HGVs to pass or not. It was also observed that a large number of motorists cross the double white lines at New Bridge to take a faster approach to the minor lane and so increase the risk of collision with west-bound traffic on the A390, or pedestrians in the minor lane.'

Mr George said in the light of representations received, officers recommended deferring the closure, in favour of monitoring the site and the network of minor roads in the area.

He thanked those people who had contacted the council about the proposal and said it showed how important public consultation was in these cases.

Cllr Gretta Madigan said the deferment was 'a sensible way forward' and welcomed a review of the roads in the area.

'My major concern is Gulworthy Cross, that's incredibly dangerous,' she said.

Borough councillor for Tamarside Robin Pike welcomed the decision — but he stressed any future changes in the area should only be implemented following full public consultation with residents on both sides of the Tamar.

Tavistock county councillor Roy Connelly said he was pleased with the recommendation to defer, and said the strength of feeling created by the proposal, particularly from the Cornish side of the river, showed that 'consultation does work'.

Gillian Pengelly, landlady at The Buccaneer in Gunnislake, organised a petition in opposition to the proposal. Mrs Pengelly's son Stephen died in an accident on the Gulworthy road in 1991 — she still maintains flowers in his memory at the short-cut junction with the main road.

Mrs Pengelly said she was 'absolutely delighted' at the result of last Friday's meeting.

She thanked everyone who had written letters or signed the petition — and paid tribute to the councillors who had worked hard over the issue.

'We are really grateful for their help — we will keep fingers on the pulse and make sure nothing slips through in future,' she said.