RAILINGS around Drake's Statue in Tavistock which have been damaged by lorries and buses are to be repaired — and the bill sent to Devon County Council.

Members of the town council's properties committee heard that to repair the railings would cost about £1,500.

Councillors agreed that as the tourist season reached its height, it was imperative to tidy up one of the town's best known landmarks. But they were not so keen on footing the bill.

The damage to the railings occurred after the road was changed earlier this year by the county, which said the new layout would be safer.

The committee heard that since then, a senior county highways official had been in regular contact with the town council, which was concerned about the safety of the 'improved' road layout.

Cllr Philip Sanders said the space for heavy goods vehicles to exit the roundabout had now been 'reduced dramatically'.

He questioned whether the county's highways expert had any experience of driving HGVs and felt the response from the county council regarding the new layout was 'obtuse'.

'The situation is clearly self-evident — the railings weren't being damaged until the road was adapted by the county council,' he said.

Cllr Mandy Govier suggested the installation of more prominent bollards at the roundabout, to provide more of a deterrant.

And the council's works superintendent said changing the shape of the railings around the statue, from square to five-sided, could help the situation.

Cllr John Sellis said: 'There's only one real answer to the problem — for the road to be put back to what it was before.

'I propose we replace the railings as they are and bill the county council — they are responsible for the damage.'

The committee backed Cllr Sellis's proposal — the recommendation was due to be ratified by the full council at its meeting on Tuesday night.

A Devon County Council spokesman said: 'The roundabout has been tightened to encourage drivers to enter it more carefully and the new kerb lines do enable large vehicles to negotiate the roundabout.

'The corners of the railings in the centre were close to the kerb lines, and whilst most HGV drivers appear to be able to drive the roundabout avoiding damage, clearly some have not.

'The county council indicated to the town council some weeks ago it would contribute to the repair of the railings so that they were set further in and away from the kerb.'