The campaigners against the Kingskerswell Bypass having spent £10,000 preparing a 67 page document have now submitted their proposals to Government in an endeavour to perhaps buy extra time. With help from the Friends of the Earth and the CPRE the document outlines alternatives to the current plans for a bypass.
The pro bypass group take the view the report offers nothing new to either the people of Kingskerswell or Torbay or any relief to the Teignbridge Council wishing to build new houses nearby. We say that only a new road will resolve what is becoming an increasing nightmare at times of emergency and maybe the Alliance should recognize that at some point deaths will occur on this ever busy road as increasing frustration and stress is caused by longer and longer tail backs at Shiphay and on Hellovesluis Way and at Penn Inn whether travelling East or West.
Government’s latest announcement that it intends to open up hard shoulders on the motorway network to save money gives little encouragement to those that want new roads. At a time when the economic situation is at its worst the answer for Government is to expand not reduce public projects. With this in mind perhaps there is a glimmer of hope. The new bypass will bring prosperity to the only part of the Westcountry-Torbay suffering from a progressive reduction in visitor bed nights throughout the last three decades. 

Posted 6th February 2009