THE Mid Devon CPRE Group Committee has recently discussed the various different options coming forward for the proposed Crediton Link Road, from the A377 to the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate and I am therefore responding as secretary for the Group.

In the light of the recent public exhibition about the different options, the Group wishes to respond as follows:

1. The Valley Route - The Group supports this route as it believes that it is the only route able to alleviate the ever-increasing traffic problems and traffic emissions causing the adverse Air Quality in Crediton and affecting the quality of people's lives.

The Valley route has the added advantage that because it is a level route, there would not be the high CO2 emissions compared with the hill routes.

The noise level, too, would not be so noticeable as there would not be the need for so much gear changing which would be necessary on the hill routes.

The Valley Route would be further away from Crediton, so both noise and emissions from traffic, especially lorries, would be further away from the Air Quality Control area therefore the quality of people's lives would improve.

The route could also be adequately screened by a belt of trees which would help absorb CO2 emissions and act as both a visual and sound barrier for Downes House.

Downes House is already partly screened from the area by trees.

The Valley Route would also have in place the added advantage for a short bypass to link with the A3072, Crediton/Tiverton road, as well as the possibility of a longer bypass in the future - a possible need which seems ever more likely considering the amount of heavy traffic, long continental style lorries, passing along the High Street and traffic from expanding settlements eg: Copplestone, Bow, Winkleigh and the expansion of Crediton itself.

The coming of Tesco will also increase the amount of traffic as it will attract those from the hinterland behind Crediton so that the Valley Route would help people to avoid hold-ups caused by the Tesco junction, especially lorries.

2. The Western Route - the Mid Devon CPRE Group strongly object to the Western Route because it would increase the CO2 emissions along the Exeter road as the two roads are so close - a bund could not effectively prevent this.

The noise levels and pollution would have a detrimental effect on the quality of people's lives in Exeter Road and also for the wider area as the proposed road is set high high above the eastern end of the town.

It would be visible from Morrisons area which is very close to Crediton's historic church.

The Group too understands that the Western Route would cause the loss of allotments, an important asset for local residents and that an old orchard would also be destroyed.

The Western Route also has the great disadvantage of not being able to provide a link to any future bypass so that the money used although less than the cost of the Valley Route would only be for a short-term solution.

The Mid Devon CPRE Group regrets that it was unable to respond by October 5 but only five working days were allowed between the display at the Crediton Town Hall and the deadline.

This is a very short time for a Consultation response as organisations such as CPRE have to have time to consult with Committee members.

The Group, therefore, would be grateful if the above comments are taken into account and put forward to the relevant Committee.

Mrs Julie Rudge

Secretary

Mid Devon Group

CPRE

Morchard Bishop

EX17 6SE