Angry Chudleigh residents who claim the new traffic calming system in the town is dangerous presented county councillor Nolan Clarke with a petition signed by 600 people on Wednesday.

The petition, which has been running for a month, has the support of parish and district councillor Charlie West.

It was given to Cllr Clarke by Cllr West and residents, at what is thought to be the most dangerous feature of the new system in the town – near the garage at the parade, by the rock road junction.

The hundreds of signatures were handed to the county councillor just two days after a Chudleigh Community Travel Plan Working Party meeting was cancelled by the chairman of the parish council, Cllr Bill Stanyon.

He called the meeting off because county council local services officer, Andrew Butler had attended a question and answer session at the last parish council meeting. it was felt there was nothing further to discuss at present.

However, it seems many residents, at least 600, are still highly concerned about the traffic calming system.

Cllr stanyon said this week: 'If someone is condemning it, I would like to see their alternatives.'

The petition, organised by Chudleigh resident Val Parker, proprietor of Valerie Ann Hair Salon in Clifford Street, comes in response to county council officers' and other parish councillors' claims that the traffic calming measures have been successful.

Mrs Parker said: 'Lots of people come into the shop, and comment on the traffic calming. It is affecting people's tempers and businesses in the town.

'Careful drivers are now speeding up to go through the system. It is a nightmare and It is an accident waiting to happen.

'If I could find 600 people who agreed with the system I would rip up the petition.'

Richard Welby, who has lived in Chudleigh for more than 12 years, has signed the petition and agreed that the new traffic calming system had not solved any traffic problems.

H said: 'The traffic calming system has definitely added to the problems. It is the wrong way to deal with the problem.

'It has hit the proper use of Chudleigh, as it has put people off going to the shops.

'It is deliberately confusing having give way signs at each end of the chicanes. It promotes road rage and causes the white van man to accelerate and pushes pensioners back to claim the right of way, which is dangerous.

'When the bypass was opened in 1973 Chudleigh returned to being a community- the traffic calming is breaking it up again.

'The system also makes people accelerate out of the town to make up for lost time on the stretch of the B3344 choke road, which serves the A38.'

Cllr West commented: 'The taxpayers of Chudleigh should be aware of the costs of these schemes.

'By removing the character of Clifford Street, ripping up the historic Chudleigh marble, and replacing it with a bright yellow racetrack, cost £80,000. The confusing and dangerous triple giveway system cost £60,000 and on-street parking cost £4,500.'

He also said that he disagrees with many of the parish councillors who believe the system is a success and believes that the residents' opinions have not been considered.

'The majority of the parish councillors are in favour of the chaotic triple give way system, and the slalom-effect parking bays in New Exeter Street.

'I have to say that in this respect they are completely out of touch with the views of the residents. At the parish council meeting last month when the traffic calming measures were discussed, my fellow councillors considered that the low public attendance was an indication of public acceptance of the scheme. Well, 600 signatures represents one fifth of the population of Chudleigh. My colleagues need to listen more closely to their electors.'

Cllr West also believes the traffic system could be a death trap and the situation needs to be looked into sooner, rather than later.

'Residents are telling the county council that the two-year wait proposed to review some of these measures will be too late – someone will be killed before then.

'The give-way system and parking changes have been a criminal waste of money and the road should be restored to its original state, perhaps with the addition of a speed camera if necessary.'

County Cllr Nolan Clarke said he was happy to receive the petition on behalf of the residents and said he would pass it on to the county council highways local services group.

Further reports will be received by the parish in December.