THE current position at Tiddybrook, regarding road safety and traffic calming, is just the latest example of where we, the general public, have paid little attention to the planning process for schemes that are carried out in our name. 

It would have been some years ago that this scheme was put before the relevant authorities, and, at that time, it would have been checked and double-checked by not only the county council officers and elected officials, but by the borough and town council as well. On top of that, 'public consultation' for the scheme would have included details in the press, notices placed within the area of the scheme, and, sometimes, a public exhibition of the scheme allowing for the community to speak directly to our officers. 

Even if one ignored all of these opportunities to comment and change the scheme, anyone moving into the area would/should have had the future position identified by their solicitor.

Yet, somehow, all of these statutary safeguards are continuing to be missed, and we are left trying to 'close the stable door after the horse has gone'.

Whilst I really hope that the position at Tiddybrook can be solved to the satisfaction of all it is obviously a 'sticking-plaster' answer that will be found instead of a sustainable one that should have been incorporated at the planning stage. This could end up satisfying no-one.

But we have to move on from here. I do urge more people to start to take notice of planning schemes during the consultation period —whether for housing or roads — and, either individually or in groups, put your points across to the council officers and elected councillors. After all, you are the people living there, and it is no good blaming others for the situation that arises if we have paid little or no attention to it ourselves.    

Bryan Podmore

Redmoor Close

Tavistock