Concern over increased pollution in the area

THE story appeared in the Courier on Friday, April 14, issue 1133.

During a recent Newton St Cyres Parish Council meeting one of the issues raised was the concern over the extra traffic that would be generated on the A377 if plans for 326 houses are built at Pedlarspool (Creedy Bridge) on the northern side of Crediton in the parish of Sandford.

The council was especially concerned about the volume of traffic that might be passing through the village and the likely increase in pollution levels.

A number of housing developments are proposed for Crediton including Red Hill Cross (135), Chapel Downs Farm (120) and Stonewall Lane as well as more houses for Copplestone. If Crediton Rugby Club moves to Pedlarspool the land at the club and pitches opposite may also be used for housing. Plannning permission has already been granted for 185 houses at Wellparks. There are also a number of smaller builds being proposed.

This could generate about 800 - 1,000 extra houses and approximately another 2,500 cars (2.5 cars per household).

The most likely route for much of this extra traffic would be the north side of the town including the narrow lanes and Exhibition Road (A3072) to get to the Link Road and on to the A377 to travel to work, as well as travelling through the town on the school run.

Are you concerned about the level of pollution and the effect it may have on residents’ health, particularly children and the elderly?

Please let me know. You can contact me at: 102 High Street, Crediton or by email at: [email protected] .

What you told us ...

The pollution will get worse with all the extra traffic. We don’t need that many houses and if local people don’t move into them who will? They need to improve the roads first and fill in the potholes. If all the fields are taken away for building houses - where are all the animals going to go?

Linda Savage-Jones

I think building more new houses will affect the pollution levels in the town. It will also affect the doctor’s surgeries. The population is rising all the time so it will have an effect.

Betty Chudley, Crediton

I think it’s inevitable that pollution levels will increase and we do need housing - it goes with the territory. I’m not able to have my windows open because of the pollution on the High Street. There is a lot of pollution and the only way to avoid it would be to move out of the town.

Camille Phillips, Crediton