I PAID a very interesting visit on March 31 to inspect, on foot, some of the proposed DCC Option 3 western route, at the invitation of Mrs Helen Lawes of Mill Street, Crediton.

It was immediately clear to me that this route would pass unreasonably close to the residents of the eastern side of Exeter Road, Downeshead Lane, Mannings, the eastern side of Mill Street and the southern side of Tolleys – a total of about 50 dwellings.

It seems to me that this route is unnecessarily long when compared to the approved Hillside route, which will add to the construction costs. Furthermore, this route will cut through the hill immediately to the rear of the Mill Street dwellings, only to emerge directly into the immediate proximity of the historical heart and ancient Saxon settlement of Crediton around Buller Square.

This delightful backwater of Crediton boasts two blue plaques; one commemorating the traditional birthplace of St Boniface at Tolleys, certainly one of the most significant and influential European leaders of the first millennium, whilst the other plaque marks the site of the earliest brick buildings in Kyrton.

Clearly, the only possible reason for this revised "late entry" by Devon County Council is that they have succumbed to pressure to skirt the boundary of the Downes Estate, which is considered to be " conditionally exempt land.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment is reported as saying: "An excellent compromise has been reached, which minimises the impact of the route on the Downes Estate, has the estate's support and also that of English Heritage.

"Full consultation with the various bodies has led to this new proposal which will, once more, be exhibited before a planning application is submitted to Mid Devon District Council." (DCC Press release on February 24 2009).

I am sure Cllr Margaret Rogers will wish to revise her comments on the "fullness" of the consultation process since this new compromise has not included any consultation with the occupiers and owners of the 50 affected dwellings.

Why was it that the first time many Exeter Road residents heard of this new route was by reading the front page of the Courier on March 5?

Strangely, some residents were mystified to receive a letter, dated February 25, from a Mr Kenneth J Cooper FRICS, a solicitor in Cardiff, offering to represent them in obtaining compensation for what he described as being "adversely affected by new, improved or altered roads coming into use" under the Land Compensation Act 1973.

How did it happen that a solicitor in Wales knew about the decision and its implications before the affected residents in Crediton? Come on Devon County Council!

It should be remembered that the whole purpose of the Link Road was to take away the pollution created by HGV traffic entering Crediton from Exeter en route to the trading estate.

This new proposal will result only in conveying increased traffic-generated air and noise pollution and congestion right past the aggrieved residents of the 50 affected dwellings and into the ancient heart of the town.

My feeling is that the original Hillside route as proposed by DCC is the only viable route and DCC should not shirk their responsibilities to the people of Crediton.

Crediton Traffic Action Group is holding a public meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday, April 30 at the Crediton Town Council Chambers in Market Street to discuss this matter. Naturally, we will invite DCC representatives to attend in order to give a fuller account of their reasons for this route.

I hope I have set the record straight on my previously published comments.

Judi Binks

CTAG member

(address supplied)