THE controversial change to the road layout at Tavistock's Drake's Statue roundabout came under the spotlight once again during a meeting in the town last week.

The railings around the statue have been hit on at least three separate occasions since April, when the road was changed by Devon County council as a safety measure.

Members of the town council's properties committee had been given an analysis of recorded collisions on the A386 between Pixon Lane roundabout and Drake's Statue between January 2004 and April 2007, which prompted the work to be carried out.

Cllr Brian Trew said: 'I looked with interest at the information he provided. There are incidents relating to the roundabout over four years and some are so ridiculous I wonder why the change to it was ever permitted at all.

'They talk about a cluster of incidents — but that includes all of Plymouth Road. My view is we should not pay a penny for this — Devon County should pay the lot.'

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'They should certainly pay the whole cost. In total there are 34 incidents and of those 34, there was only one that was a case of hitting the railings — yet we have had three or four since the road was changed — it's game, set and match, There's no doubt it's the new road layout that's caused it.

'It should be returned to what it was and the railings should be repaired at their cost.'

Cllr John Sellis said: 'What they have done is totally wrong. There are more accidents at Pixon Lane roundabout and they didn't mess with that.'

Cllr Sellis said he could understand why the accident figures appeared to have been given to the council with some reluctance.

'They show the work was totally uncalled for,' he said.

Cllr David Best said: 'As far as safety on the roundabout is concerned, I think it's an improvement. Basically we are in a situation where the only problems we have had is with the railings being hit. I think we should treat them as a separate argument and set them back 18 inches.'

The committee agreed that the railings should be repaired and positioned 18 inches back from the kerb on the roundabout, with curved edges, and that deflective bollards should also be installed. The council will forward the £5,108 bill to Devon County Council.

The decision was due to be ratified by the full council at its meeting on Tuesday night.