AS always, I look forward to the latest letter from Mrs Joan Farley (Courier September 27). I must compliment her on being a tireless campaigner for a cause in which she truly believes.

It is sad that the request, which to my mind is a simple one, for a safe crossing for the residents of Exeter Road.

I also salute Mr Alan Still, whose letter appeared in the same issue. His suggestion of a petition is a valid one.

However and please correct me if I am wrong, we have been down that road before. About five years ago I organised such a petition, copies of which appeared in many of the local shops. This was then presented to Devon County Council. Sadly without success.

As a former resident of this area, people will also remember the Exeter Road Residents' Association which I organised and chaired, until it was disbanded for lack of support and lack of time by residents.

The subject of Exeter Road was on the Town Council agenda more times than not, at my bidding and I supported all efforts by Mrs Farley to get a solution.

On my part I contacted and had discussion with the then leader of Devon County Council via correspondence and we were promised a visit by the then leader, which sadly did not take place.

I also tried, without success, to get the problem of the speed on Four Mills Lane addressed and, yes, it was visited by representatives from both Mid Devon and Devon County Council's.

Sadly, just as it looked as though there was a glimmer of hope, government cuts resulted in redundancies, meaning that the request for a solution to both problems were shelved or discounted.

I also attempted to get the pavement lowered, so that Mr Farley could access his car from his wheelchair. I still do not know the outcome of that one.

I have taken this matter as high as possible; however our Member of Parliament can only advise, he cannot dictate policy.

If Mr Still believes that a "Knight in Shining Armour" can drive this matter through where all else has failed please, good sir, be my guest and I will support you.

My role as "fairy godmother" sadly met with no success. I will say that it is a pleasure to try and help, there is no shame in failure, the shame is found when no one tries.

On or off of the Town Council I will continue to offer Mrs Farley my support but, in all honesty, I am wondering where there is left to go?

One can only hope that when the link road is completed that it will reduce the amount of traffic and pollution; only time will tell.

In the meantime, dear readers, where do we go from here?

Anne Hughes

Lennard Road

Crediton

COPY of a letter sent by Anne Hughes to David Whitton, Head of Highways, Devon County Council:

Dear Mr Whitton,

Thank you for your letter which was forwarded on to me from Mr Mel Stride MP. I am interested in your comments and request that the traffic speed along Belle Parade is closely monitored as a matter of some urgency.

As a resident, I see speeds which exceed that set for a built up and residential area. I stress this as this area borders a very popular Play Park.

As to the matter of Church Street and Jockey Hill, I have sent pictures of very large lorries trying to turn into Church Street, many of which physically cannot make this manoeuvre and as such have to reverse up Lennard Road, which is not suitable for such a manoeuvre as this road leads to residential properties occupied by retired and frail members of the community.

The lorries then go on to demolish, on a regular basis, traffic cones at the roundabout adjoining Jockey Hill.

These pictures were emailed on to Cllr Nick Way; so far I have received no response. However, I will send a copy of these pictures separately by email.

May I now turn to the matter of Exeter Road? For many years and as a member of Crediton Town Council I have acted for the residents of Exeter Road to try and get a safe crossing area along this road.

For your information I enclose a copy of a letter which I have written to the Crediton Courier in response to letters on this subject.

You will see from the sense of frustration, where both I and the residents are coming from, so I have no need to repeat what is already in writing.

As Mr Stride has been kind enough to take an interest in all of the above issues, I will be sending him a copy of my letter to you about these very pressing issues.

I appreciate that there are government cuts, however, the problems of Exeter Road has been ongoing long before the election of the present administration.

It is my understanding, please correct me if I am wrong, but I am lead to believe that in times past, money was set aside for Exeter Road and, if my information is correct, this money was used elsewhere?

However, I do believe that the residents of Exeter Road deserve a better quality of life that is being denied them because of the sheer volume of traffic using Exeter Road.

Of course as I have said in my letter to the Courier, there will be some alleviation once the link road is completed at the end of 2014.

However this road, welcome as it will be, will not take the main bulk of the traffic which uses this road to access routes into North Devon.

The link road will only, at least for the time being, take traffic onto and from the industrial estate and not further, unless there are plans to open up the link road further and beyond?

Your comments will be appreciated and as I am letting Mr Stride have a copy of this letter I will also make a copy available to the Crediton Courier.

As I say, I am happy to stand corrected on any or all of the points that I have raised as a member of a concerned community.

It would be good if the general public could be kept in the picture as far as future plans are concerned.

As I am no longer a member of the Town Council, I am not privy to discussion which takes place at meeting and relies on the excellent reporting by the Courier, which, of course, can only report what is discussed in public and not any behind scenes discussion.

Anne Hughes

cc. Mr Mel Stride MP