Gordon Hook

The decision leaked today by the BBC that the South Devon Link Road is to get the Governments blessing will I fully understand be welcomed by at least some. While I understand that reaction I believe it is a bad decision for Newton Abbot. It will give the “green light” (no sick joke intended) to the development and in filling of the Aller Valley / hillside opposite Aller Park Road. This, coupled to other proposals in the Teignbridge Core Strategy will see an irrevocable change in both the character of Newton Abbot and also an end to the green lung which separates Newton from Kingskerswell.
On top of all that I don’t believe it will do the job it’s supporters claim it will…..indeed, if a one lane flyover is built at Pen Inn as opposed to a two lane, then I actually think the traffic congestion at Pen Inn could get worse. Two lanes would be a positive and helpful step, which I will continue to campaign for, but one lane spells trouble as traffic Torquay bound will build up further back towards the river than is now the case. Of course time will tell, but once Newton and Kingskerswell have merged the damage will be done….and for what gain???. A traffic jam elsewhere? Perhaps the next Government will try and resolve their economic problems by throwing another fortune at resolving that problem.
I wanted to see other alternatives to road building to solve this issue….and still want to see greater investment in decent public transport / park and ride/walk schemes/ investment in electric (and other non fossil fuel) vehicles.

The scheme is scheduled to start in October 2012, so take a good look at the green fields between KK and Newton….they wont be there much longer. This could yet turn out to be the biggest single act of environmental vandalism perpetrated against the County of Devon since the Luftwaffe visited Plymouth.