THE writer of this letter, Graham Pearcey, of Bewsley Farm, Copplestone, drives from his home each day to take part in his son's business on the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate, Crediton. As a former farmer he explains that he has had many years' experience of using local roads.

The people of Crediton need a bypass, here's why.

(1) HEALTH

The poor air quality, now prevalent in Exeter road, and parts of the High street, is known to contravene E.E.C. regulations, and for those who have no alternative, but to breathe it for extended periods, it will be detrimental to their health.

Readings taken in early July, (based on a scale of one to 10), registered "nine" .This is way above a level of "one", recorded in a similar location at around the same time at Tiverton, and a level of "two" at Cullompton. Both of these towns have the benefit of 'dedicated' routes for through traffic .

Of the routes proposed by the Devon County Council, NEITHER THE WESTERN, NOR EITHER OF THE HILLSIDE ROUTES, WILL REDUCE THE POLLUTION AND NOISE TO ACCEPTABLE LEVELS.

The reality is, that neither of these routes has the potential to do more than serve to divert a fraction of the traffic, currently using Exeter road.

THE PROVISION OF A BYPASS IS THE ONLY MEANS OF DEALING WITH THE POLLUTION.

(2) SAFETY

(a) The continuous flow of traffic passing through the High street, Union road, and East street, together with motorists engaged in roadside parking, puts the lives of pedestrians at risk.

A BYPASS IS NEEDED TO FIX THIS.

(b) In order to bypass the town, many motorists use the road known locally as "upper deck", or the back road. This serves as a link between the A377, at Barnstaple Cross, and Forches Cross, continuing on to Mill street. It is however, unsuitable for H.G.V.'s and on account of several instances where the road suddenly narrows, it is dangerous.

Adding to the risk of accident is the blind junction with Alexandra road, the obscure junction at Forches cross, and the bottle neck between the mini roundabout and Blagdon rise, which is extremely dangerous for pedestrians.

THIS ROUTE IS MUCH THE SAME AS IN THE 1950s

Even with the current level of traffic, this road is hazardous. Converting "upper deck" by means of an upgrade, into part of A BYPASS, WOULD ENABLE MORE VEHICLES TO USE THIS ROUTE WITH AN INCREASED LEVEL OF SAFETY.

(3) ENVIRONMENT.

(a) The hold ups, caused by the combination of through traffic, public transport, delivery vehicles, shoppers, and local residents, exacerbates the amount of carbon being released into the atmosphere.

(b) The other use of the term "environment" relates to how people feel when using the High street. It has to be acknowledged that, even at the best of times, conditions are stressful, frustrating and generally unhelpful.

As previously mentioned, situations are sometimes hazardous.

With the persistent increase in population both locally, and in the region, conditions are bound to become worse.

The obvious solution is to deflect the through traffic from the centre of the town.

This can only be achieved by the provision of a bypass - ONLY A BYPASS WILL IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT.

(4) ECONOMY

Vehicle users would, of course, gain in terms of savings in fuel and time, with the provision of a by pass. For the commercial operator this equates to financial gain.

For others it will mean more time being available for other things.

Of equal importance, is the potential financial gain shop owners would have, as a result of the transformation in the shopping environment, brought about by the new road system.

For taxpayers, and ratepayers alike, THE BYPASS WILL BE SEEN AS AN INVESTMENT.

(5) OPPORTUNITY.

The best opportunity for building the bypass, [with the benefit of hindsight], would have been in the eighties, when the town was beset with holiday traffic, which was of sufficient magnitude to qualify for the provision of government funding.

Also at the time, the then owners of the land, (needed for the route), were happy for the new road to be built on their property.

On account of the introduction of the North Devon link road, together with the upgrading of the A30, we no longer see a large influx of holiday traffic.

Instead, we have a large throughput of traffic occurring ALL THE YEAR ROUND, brought about by an increase in the population both locally and generally within the region.

The Tesco development, due to be completed early next year, together with the projected expansion of Milklink, is certain to bring about a further increase in vehicle movement. The size of the current problem, together with it's known cause, must surely constitute the case for government funding, especially since we've seen so little in terms of investment in major (or minor) road building in the area, in recent times.

Crediton is a medium sized town, and growing, (population 6,700, expected to become 9,000 by 2029)

Funding must be found to address the size of the traffic problem that confronts it.

There must be the determination to address the issues involved now.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESS FOR THE LONG TERM SOLUTION MUST NOT BE MISSED.

(6) HERITAGE.

English heritage have declared their preference for preserving the landscape to the east of Downes house, (site of the proposed valley route) and Downeshead, (site of the proposed hillside routes), rather than land adjacent to, and above, the homes of the residents of Buller Square, Downeshead Lane, Mill Street, and Exeter Road [site of the proposed western route].

I've included the term "and above" to highlight the reality of what would happen if the road was commissioned .The noise of heavy vehicles under load would echo through the valley below,[ affecting Exeter road, and Mill street, especially] and particulates, and gas emissions, would gravitate to very same area that currently has the problem with air quality.

Since there are some very old properties in Buller square, one might conclude that English heritage have a greater interest in landscape than historic built up areas.

There is manifestly a conflict of interest between specific parties, among whom are ; homeowners who live alongside the proposed western route, the current owners of Downes house,[and site of the western route), English heritage, the population of Crediton, and all those who regularly use the A377.

The council must, in their capacity as town and country planners, demonstrate their ability in fulfilling their role.

THE ROADS ARE NOW, AS THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN, FOR THE USE OF THOSE WHO NEED THEM AT THE TIME.

Whilst yesterdays' homes are cherished, yesterdays' roads are unloved! Heritage is fine, but we have to consider those who live in the present, and those who will follow us. For them the proposed road through the orchard would be wrong, whereas the road through the valley will be right..

It can justifiably be argued that the High Street is, itself, a major part of the heritage of Crediton. Photographs from the past show, how its generous width was the setting for the display, and sale, of large numbers of locally raised livestock.,

There is a saying: "Crediton was a market town, when Exeter was a fuzzy down".

If either of the hillside routes, or indeed, God forbid, the western route is installed, heavy goods vehicles will continue to pound up and down the High street, because "upper deck" is too narrow for them to use. The "upgrade" of this road, and Stone Hill Lane, together with the provision of "The valley route", is the only new route with the potential to eliminate these vehicles, (which manifestly produce the most noise, vibration, and pollutants), from Crediton's historic centre.

(7) DECISION TIME. Regarding the implementation of a bypass:

(A) There is already the base on which to build a better road, this being the route currently linking Barnstaple cross with Creedy corner. (Total distance; two and a half miles.) This, without doubt, represents a substantial saving over building a new road from scratch.

(B) A new road, incorporating a "spur" to provide access to the Lords meadow industrial estate, would link the A3072, (at Creedy Corner), with the A377 (at Downes Mill).

The distance between Barnstaple cross, and Downes Mill, using this route, would, at four miles, be only a quarter of a mile further than travelling through the town. It would also be, (useful for H.G.V's and cyclists), relatively level. So, on account of the savings in fuel and time, it really would become a popular bypass.

The authorities, since they are not considering a bypass at the moment, would require the help of engineers and assessors, to provide the necessary statistics for use in the decision making process. Even if the authorities agreed to arrange such a survey today (unlikely) it would take some time to complete.

The authorities have, however, arranged surveys of the routes they are proposing and so, in July 2009, the decision the authorities have to make is whether to go ahead with either of hillside routes, or the western route, having been advised of the limitations of all three, (albeit by ordinary members of the public), or, whether to pursue the valley route, which many people believe they should do.

Those ordinary people, myself included, are concerned that if the valley route is not chosen, we shall never have a bypass. And for us, that NEVER, will be a very long time.

CONCLUSION/SUMMARY

Any new road needs to be assessed as part of the infrastructure for Crediton. The future development of its commercial and recreational areas, together with its schools and other facilities, all have a bearing on what the future requirements of the town and therefore the road, will be.

For example, the valley route, which links to the industrial estate at the south eastern corner, would, if extended to Creedy Corner, make access to the secondary school, when it is relocated to "the Exhibition Road site", very much better than would be the case if either of the other routes were implemented.

Access to the new Redhill Cross development would be excellent.

I appeal to all council members to view the options under consideration in the light of the long term requirements of the hundreds of ordinary Devonians who have to travel through, or have chosen to live in, and/ or work in, the town and surrounding area.