REBELLION continues to grow against the proposed longer western route for a link road into Lords Meadow Industrial Estate from the A377.

About 60 people crammed into Crediton Council Chamber to talk link road routes, wanting to preserve the area around the oldest part of Crediton and suspicion that SWW did not choose the route for its new water pipe for the Tesco development without consideration for a future road.

The meeting of Crediton Traffic Action Group agreed to ask Devon County Council to do more work on an amended valley route and requested that this be included in the consultation in September.

It was suggested that people put their views on the Courier website. Another suggestion was that a lot of letters would carry more weight than a petition.

People were encouraged to write at least to Devon County Council and the local MP. An impromptu appeal for funds resulted in £170 being collected that evening and a number of people volunteered to help with a traffic census in the East Street, Mill Street, Charlotte Street area.

Bill Dixon was elected chairman commenting that it was gratifying to see so many people at the meeting. Dr John Boyle was elected technical officer, with Helen Lawes and Justin Beament as press officers.

Bob Edwards said he had been involved in schemes for a bypass or relief road for Crediton since 1979. He said previous promises had been broken and Crediton "had not been given a fair deal" by the county council. Someone said there had been talks of a bypass for Crediton since the 1930s at least.

Mr Dixon said he had a letter on file from Devon County Council, dated 2001, which said that a Crediton bypass was "still in the plan, although its timing had 'slipped'."

When there was the comment that many people would prefer the valley route, Mr Dixon reminded them that Crediton had been told the valley route "would never get the go-ahead", which brought comments that there had been "manipulation of opinion" by the county council.

David Nation (Mid Devon District and Crediton Town councillor) said one of the major problems was that Crediton did not fit the criteria for new roads.

Bill Dixon said the town's biggest problem was air pollution. The Tesco development with the store, industrial units and homes, plus the target of 700 more homes by 2026 that had "rolled down from Government," would do nothing to improve air quality.

It was understood that one of the reasons the valley route had been discounted was the strength of opinion of English Heritage over its potential effect on the setting of Downes.

It was felt that a valley route that imposed less on the flood plain should be investigated and be part at the September consultation. Many people said they were aggrieved that Crediton had been told this route was not possible.

The question was asked, whether anyone knew English Heritage views on the area the western route would go close to and through?

Several people felt that an amended valley route would fit into the district council's future plans to build homes at Pedlarspool, new homes on Red Hill Cross and any chance of continuing the road to Creedy Corner.

There were also comments that the county council was "in awe of English Heritage" while having "no thought at all" about the eastern end of Crediton, the area around Buller Square and Downeshead.

There were suggestions, too, that Crediton was being "bullied" by the county council. Helen Lawes had been watching SWW work on a trench only yards from her garden for a water pipe serving the Tesco site.

She and others wanted to know whether SWW needed planning permission for the work? They were told "no" and it was agreed CTAG ask SWW about the new pipe.,

Bill Dixon wondered "how much of a stitch-up Crediton has been subjected to", with several others voicing agreement with his comment.

Peter Hare-Scott (MDDC Leader, who lives in Crediton) said he would take this point up with the district council, plus other issues.

Den Turner, who lives on Jockey Hill, said he had been "horrified" when he saw diggers working on the hill across the valley from his home. He felt sure there would be a shorter route for the SWW pipeline to Tesco. Why was that particular route chosen?

When it was asked why Crediton Town Council did not voice a preference for the valley route, John Downes (a district and town councillor) explained that it was "not happy" with the western nor the hillside route but wanted full information on all the options before making a firm decision.

When Bill Dixon said that public opinion had stopped SWW from closing Exeter Road last year, Bob Edwards brought a smile with: "They ain't listening to us, we may have to get the pitchforks out".

Nick Way thought it more than possible the whole question of which route for a link road between the main road and industrial estate would end up at a public enquiry.

The next CTAG meeting is to be Monday, July 6 at 7.30pm at Crediton Rugby Club which is larger and has car parking. Look out for further details in the next issue of the Courier.

Anyone who wishes to donate to funds can do so at the Crediton Country Courier office at 102 High Street, Crediton, or send to the secretary, Mrs Judi Binks at St Breock, Union Terrace, Crediton.

Sue Read