AN old mine shaft has opened up again on land near the site of Newton Abbot's proposed multi-million pound new hospital.
Bob Bates, who lives in Orleigh Avenue, made the discovery last week while out with his cross-breed and cocker spaniel dogs, when they ran off across the disused ground in Jetty Marsh, owned by ball clay company WBB Minerals.
Recruitment consultant Mr Bates said the mine shaft had reappeared after recent heavy rain, and he immediately emailed the Teignbridge Primary Care Trust asking: 'Can you seriously be contemplating building a new hospital there?'
He said the mine shaft was about 6ft deep.
In Christmas 2002, the same area had opened up and was between 20 and 30ft deep, but that had been filled in.
'It is common local knowledge that the land there is riddled with old mine shafts.
'I am not one of those anti-building the hospital campaigners, but around here we are amazed it is proposed to build it there with those problems and because it is a flood plain.
'When there is a high tide and heavy rain, I have seen the water come over the top there, while you also have the traffic congestion in Jetty Marsh Road.
'Any ambulances going in and out will have their work cut out,' added Mr Bates.
Teignbridge PCT's service development manager Phil Heywood said his technical colleagues would be looking into the issues raised by Mr Bates.
If plans are approved for the £17 million hospital, to replace the building off East Street, work could start in 2006, with the planned opening the following year.