TAVISTOCK Town Council is set to give its backing to residents' concerns regarding a 'rat run' through their estate.

At a meeting of the finance and general purpose committee last week, councillors agreed to give their formal support to their residents of the Tiddy Brook estate worries over the traffic diversion which links Plymouth Road to Anderton Lane.

Residents' concerns include the confluence of Anderton Lane and Buzzard Road actively routing traffic through the estate creating a 'rat run'; heavy goods vehicles using the high density residential street as a through road and that the development was designed as a 20mph zone but built with no signage to indicate this.

A nine-point plan was presented by county councillor for Tavistock Debo Sellis to Devon County Council, which addressed the issues of residents and was well-received by them. However, the plan was not adopted by that council.

At the town council meeting, Cllr Mandy Ewings said: 'We represent these people because they pay a precept to the Town Council. They also pay council tax. I don't see any harm, if the council agrees, in formally supporting what is asked for.

'The town council is their authority to go to. We are duty bound to represent their views as a body corporate. I feel we can take this on if we do so as a council.'

Cllr Anne Johnson agreed: 'I have very serious concerns for those people in the area. I have seen the large vehicles passing right outside their living rooms. We should support them.'

Other councillors also agreed and it was suggested that the item be put on the agenda to be discussed at the full council meeting held on Tuesday.

The councillors recommended that the town council should formally support the concerns of the residents and support them in their efforts to get the issue re-examined by the county council.