THE LETTER writing campaign of South Zeal residents keen to get 'back on the map' is beginning to see progress. Villagers who have written to the Highways Agency asking for South Zeal and its neighbouring villages to be signposted from the A30 Merrymeet junction have received responses to their letters. These promise that copies of all correspondence to do with the signage are being forwarded to Parson Brinkerhoff, the designers of the new Merrymeet junction. South Zeal resident Ursula Radford said she hoped the attention the letters were receiving would encourage even more people in the area to write to the Highways Agency. As well as South Zeal, Chagford, Drewsteignton, Sticklepath and Whiddon Down have been affected by the re-signposting of the A382 turn-off. Hotels, pubs, shops, and restaurants in the area all claim to have lost important trade as a result of the change, and residents report numerous instances of vistors unable to find the villages. Letters should be sent to tthe Highways Agency at Temple Quay House, Tudor Square, Temple Quay, Bristol. Copies of a pre-prepared letter are also available to sign and post from South Zeal Village Stores.
