I WAS delighted to read (Times, March 4) at long last, about the proposed Gateway Garden for the corner of Crediton Road and Northfield Road, in Okehampton.

It is both imaginative and practical and will certainly enhance a much neglected piece of ground. It could be a good location for photos to be taken, as people pose leaning on the gate.

May I draw attention to what I think might be an oversight in the plans? For a number of years this corner has been a hazard for pedestrians as many young children and older people frequent this busy junction.

The junction is often used as a short-cut to the hospital by vehicles of all sizes and some apparently find it difficult to enter Crediton Road without cutting across the pavement. The lack of a kerb may, I feel, add to the problem. Recently, two bollards on the edge of this area have been removed which has allowed vehicles to maintain a greater speed whilst cutting the corner.

It is noticeable that at Fairplace, opposite the Post Office, a garden was successfully developed which I consider has the necessary safety feature of decorative but substantial railings surrounding the site. This addition prevents anyone from walking out into the road, in front of the traffic.

At Crediton Road the new scheme does appear to place much of the seating extremely close to the point where the corner is currently being cut and there is nothing to indicate that children or adults will be prevented from wandering into the traffic on all three sides. It is always advisable to look back into Crediton Road before crossing as so often vehicles manage to ignore the one-way street signs and exit here onto East Street.

I also wonder whether the seating will obscure, to drivers in cars, children walking on the pavement behind the wall on which the seats are set: the very place where the pavement is sometimes crossed.

I sincerely hope that this area will become a place to sit and chat but I would urge a greater consideration to be given to the safety of all who will be sorely tempted to rest awhile and on occasion even stay to admire the sun setting over the town .

Barrie Duke

Chief officer

Age Concern

NW Devon

2 Crediton Road

Okehampton