A Kingsteignton resident writes: I write in reference to Exeter Road / Ley Lane, Kingsteignton. The new traffic lights are, sadly, causing an enormous amount of disruption and utter chaos to residents and through traffic. Even the bus services and emergency vehicles have been brought to a standstill by the queues. It must be pointed out that Kingsteignton residents did not want this scheme. The blame lies solely with a handful of councillors who have forced this into place at a cost of £80,000, showing little or no concern for the residents or the abysmal after effects. It is a sad reflection on how councillors treat the residents whom they should be representing. It has solved absolutely nothing, but it has increased the congestion on four roads and created rat-runs through, eg, Captains Road, Football Lane etc. For residents closest to the junction it is causing increased noise and air pollution from the standing traffic 24 hours a day. Anybody waiting for a bus or children walking to school are now subjected to the additional blight of exhaust fumes – a situation, which is soon to become permanent. Unfortunately, the councillors who have ignored the residents' surveys and inflicted their decision on Kingsteignton do not live near the mayhem, especially the county councillor who is nicely tucked away in Teignmouth. Yet for residents their quality of life in this area of Kingsteignton has now been irreversibly shattered by this unjustified and ill-conceived scheme. Quite rightly, there is a sense of anger among villagers and motorists alike What further measures will now have to be implemented to cater for the problems arising from these lights? Perhaps the parish council (which I understand only wanted a pedestrian crossing), would invite the highways and traffic orders committee councillors responsible to attend a meeting to give residents an opportunity to question them – although I suspect this request will be ignored also.
