A VOLUNTEER, more would be better, to help improve the look of Yeoford plus ways to reduce the speed of traffic were expressed at this month’s Zoom meeting of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council.

Cllr Nick Yarnold said he had seen a big increase in the amount of traffic in the 45 years he had lived in the village, with the speed of some being “pretty horrific”.

Cllr Andy Cole remembered that many years ago the parish council had asked for a speed check. It was told the only solution was to put in speed humps.

Cllr Yarnold said that although there was a pavement as far as the school, there was nothing past it where a number of people walked.

Devon County Councillor Nick Way commented that most 20mph areas were in towns and he did not think the county council would look at an individual road for the limit.

Cllr Way said he had asked a question of Devon County Council about Bow, where the parish council had asked for a speeding warning flashing light, offering to pay for and maintain it themselves but, so far, had not received anything positive back.

He added that other places were suffering the same problems.

Mid Devon District Council member for the area, Cllr Derek Coren, wondered if the 30mph area could be extended. Councillors wondered if this could be done at both ends of the village.

TELEPHONE BOX

Reporting that a resident had asked if anything was being done to improve the look of the red telephone box in the centre of the village, Cllr Yarnold reported that ivy was growing inside, shattered glass from a broken window was inside and although, he presumed, BT used to look after it, that had not happened for several years.

Cllr Coren said two years ago he had cut back the ivy and tidied around the phone box, Cllr Edna Beasley had done a similar job this year.

Cllr Mortimer pointed out that Yeoford had a very bad mobile signal which was why the telephone box was important.

Cllr Andy Cole remembered that when BT had wanted to take it away, Yeoford was allowed to keep it because of the poor signal.

It was said that a lady living nearby used to look after the phone box, but she had long since moved.

Cllr Ruth Vigers wondered if there were any people prepared to maintain the telephone box, maybe a team. Cllr Yarnold would look into this, adding that the present state of the phone box did not give a good impression of the village.

LOCAL ROADS

Reporting that a resident had asked about keeping drains and roads clear of rubbish, councillors regretted that some drivers seemed to think it was acceptable to throw their rubbish, drinks cans and take away food cartons, out along the road.

Cllr Cole said someone in the village had been prepared to act as a lengthsman but had been put off by the amount of training “just to go and clear some drains.”

The ideal solution would be someone with experience and a bit of time on their hands who could do the job when needed. Again, volunteers would be welcomed.

LITTER

In response to a request for a litter bin in the car park opposite Yeoford Chapel, it was agreed to ask Mid Devon District Council about this. It was hoped a bin might encourage people to leave their litter there rather than along the road or even in the car park.