SOME residents in Sydenham Damerel say they are 'horrified' that a regularly used country track in the village has been tarmaced over.

Devon County Council's highways department carried out the work after it was requested and paid for by the owner of land neighbouring the council-owned lane.

In a letter to the Times, residents Cherry Cramer, Sarah and Christopher Denne, Sue and Paul Newton, Jane Franklin and Tim Thacker, said: 'An ancient green lane, which had been used for many years by farmers and enjoyed everyday by walkers and riders, has been turned into a tarmac road.

'None of the regular users of the lane asked for it or needed it. In the heart of the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we have a duty to the environment and to the future generations to resist the relentless spread of tarmac. Thanks to the council's agreement to the desire of a single house owner for the convenience of tarmac at his back gate, a pretty by-lane has been destroyed for all time.'

The residents feel the county council should recognise its responsibility for the conservation of green lanes and ensure the interests of ratepayers, users, visitors and the environment are taken into account through a proper process of consultation.

According to the county council, any member of the public who is willing to do so may pay for the laying of a tarmac surface on any publicly-owned green lane for which the council is responsible.

Sydenham Damerel Parish Council's clerk Denise Head said: 'It was a shock to see the lorries there doing the job — we didn't know anything about it. Other people were absolutely horrified to see it, but they've discovered it's perfectly within the landowner's rights to do this.

'Highways told us that they had not tarmaced across the whole width of the lane, so it won't affect the wildlife or greenery on the verges. It was just a shock — something that was all natural has now been taken away.'

But resident Justin Roberts, who commissioned the work, said he felt it was necessary to have the lane tarmaced to make it easier to get to his property.

He said:?'I discussed it at great length with Devon County Highways and they approved it. I wouldn't have done it unless I needed to. I had consent from the council and as I understood it I was allowed to do so. I wouldn't have done it unless I was permitted to by Devon County Council.'

Ward county councillor Debo Sellis said she arranged a meeting for residents to speak to Highways officers after the lane had been surfaced: 'It is a public highway so there is no legal requirement for highways to contact anybody before doing it.

'I was told this lane was going to be tarmaced and then I was inundated with letters about it from residents. I hold Sydenham Damerel in high regard so I acted as quickly as I could.

'I arranged a site visit to which everybody was invited but because of the short notice only the parish clerk was able to attend. I felt they should have an opportunity to have the experts explain why and how it was done.

'I firmly believe that parish councils should be notified out of courtesy by the highways department in future.'