I READ with interest Mr Boyce?s letter ?Why we need a traffic study? published in your letters column dated September 16.

I share many of the concerns that he raises, for traffic congestion contributes greatly to the major problems with parking in and around Tavistock. I continue to press for a Joint Task Force to be established between West Devon Borough, Tavistock Town Council and Devon County to examine parking in Tavistock. A parallel traffic assessment would provide valuable information for that group.

When WDBC put their Local Plan together they said: ?The existing town generates large flows of traffic which causes congestion at peak times and the additional development will inevitably add to this problem?. Much stronger concerns were expressed within the first draft.

At the public enquiry the Inspector did not agree, having come to the conclusion that traffic congestion in Tavistock was not an issue. However, when issuing his report and in his covering letter to WDBC and due to the difference of opinion, the inspector made a recommendation that an overall traffic assessment should be carried out for Tavistock and Okehampton before sites were allocated.

A traffic assessment has been carried out for Okehampton and recommendations made. For whatever reason no action has been taken to follow the inspector?s recommendation to carry out a traffic assessment for Tavistock. Many would say that there was a stronger case for a traffic assessment in Tavistock than Okehampton: they have a by-pass, are two-thirds the size of Tavistock, and are not astride a main road route like the A386.

As to the question of the funding, this should be accessed through the same process used for Okehampton. As the Local Plan is in the ownership of the local planning authority ? it is for them to act as the facilitator to ensure this happens.

Cllr Roy Connelly

Devon County Councillor

Tavistock Rural