YOUR report (Courier March 6) on the changes to proposed link road between the A377 and Lords Meadow Industrial Estate raises a number of very important issues.

Why is it felt necessary to have a link road?  Presumably because of the poor air quality and traffic congestion in Exeter Road.  Those most affected are those who live there. 

How will it improve their lives if some heavy vehicles are moved from in front of their houses to behind them! 

Mrs Joan Farley is the one person who has campaigned consistently for over 25 years for a link road but she wants the traffic moved AWAY from the houses not sandwiching them in! 

Judi Binks suggests the western route is the best!  For whom?  There are some 50 houses and flats in Tolleys, Buller Square, Mannings, Mill Street and Exeter Road which are within about 100 metres of the proposed new route but only three at Downes House!

English Heritage seeks to minimise the damage to the setting of Downes Estate, presumably because of its age and history.  Yet Buller Square, which is far older (dating to the 16th/17th century) and Exeter Road cottages dating to the 1830's are ignored by them.

Dr Alistair Manning and Judi Binks state that the new route will reduce pollution (noise, vibrations and CO2 emissions) because it will reduce the gradients involved but it will be THREE times longer than the hillside route and come closer to 50 houses and flats than the hillside route! 

It will also use more agricultural land and destroy a number of allotments on Downeshead Lane – so much for the environment!

Councillor Rogers and Dr Manning refer to the western route as "a good compromise".  Between whom? 

Although the Downes Estate appear to have been consulted on the new route, those of us who live in the roads mentioned above have not been visited by anyone!  A compromise should be agreed by ALL parties involved.

Councillor Way suggests that a 4.5 metre embankment on the western route will help those living in the houses below it.  Why could such an embankment not be built to hide the road and traffic from behind Downes House?

It is quite clear that the views of a number of interested groups, NONE OF WHOM LIVE IN OR NEAR EXETER ROAD, carry more weight than those most affected by any proposals. 

Bob Batchelor

Marsh View

The Tolleys

Mill Street

Crediton

EX17 1HG

Editor's note: In the defence of Judi Binks and Dr Alistair Manning we did ask for their comments before the route was fully explained and we are sure that they might now like to reconsider their comments in the light of the full information from Devon County Council.

Crediton Traffic Action Group will be meeting to discuss the new route soon and the date of the meeting will be published in the Courier.

Another public exhibition will be held to examine the revised road proposal in Crediton prior to a planning application being submitted, Devon County Council has confirmed.