THE controversial Whitchurch Rural Gateway is to come under the spotlight once more, with the distribution of two new residents' surveys. One survey has been instigated by Plasterdown Parish Council — the consultation will take place during the first three weeks of May. Ian Walton, chairman of the council, said: 'We tried to get rid of the gateway a few years ago and we failed. 'We've left it in the meantime, to see how it works out, but we are now contacting local people to see how it affects them, how they are coping with it and if they would like to see it moved. 'Horrabridge Parish Council is also doing a traffic survey which will include the gateway, and we are asking Tavistock Town Council for a small grant so we can cover Whitchurch. 'We are trying to get the three councils to work together on this.' Mr Walton said he hoped in this way, a representative view could be gained on the gateway. Survey forms have been sent to residents in Plasterdown parish — and replies were already being received, said Mr Walton. Completed forms can be left at Whitchurch Post Office, which will also have a supply of spare copies. Tavistock Town Council's finance committee last week agreed to grant Plasterdown Parish Council £100 towards the cost of the rural gateway survey in Whitchurch. Cllr Philip Sanders said: 'We know full well there isn't a single resident who wants the thing and would like to get rid of it. I doubt there's anyone who hasn't had a problem with it. 'I would say I seriously wonder whether they are wasting their time — I don't know how many people have tried to persuade Devon County Council it was a monumental error, but they are absolutely immune to listening to common-sense.' Chairman of Horrabridge Parish Council Don Yendle confirmed that questionnaires were being hand delivered to residents in the village. He said: 'We are doing a survey covering all traffic issues through and in the village — basically, things that have been brought up by parishioners. 'We have included the gateway because there is a strength of feeling that it should be addressed and highways don't seem to be paying any attention to it.' Mr Yendle said residents should complete their questionnaires and return them to the church hall — the results of the survey should be available in about a month. The rural gateway was a scheme whereby a section of the two-way road between Whitchurch and Horrabridge was made into a single lane with passing places. It was instigated by West Devon highways and traffic orders committee as a measure to reduce traffic and speeding on the road through Whitchurch — but proved highly unpopular with residents, who felt it was dangerous and did not stop traffic speeding through the built up area of Whitchurch Road.