A PROPOSED bus link, the consultation for which is still ongoing, has prompted at least one resident to put up a series of signs voicing their opposition to the plans and another to describe it as ‘appalling’.
Adorning parts of the fence and a couple of the trees at the top of Bradley Lane, as well as several lamp-posts along Hunterswell Road and Barton Drive, the signs voice opposition to Teignbridge District Council’s (TDC) plans to create a bus and cycle gate between Hunterswell Road and Bradley Lane.
The project seeks to improve the reliability of bus services, reduce traffic congestion on Ashburton Road and support more environmentally sustainable travel choices.
Enabling this new bus route, however, will require parking restrictions to be introduced along Barton Drive, Hunterswell Road and Bradley Lane.
A resident of Barton Drive said: ‘I was appalled when I first saw the proposal, particularly their consideration about on-street parking.
‘A number of residents have vehicles which, even when parked on their driveway, overhang onto the pavement and so these people are entirely reliant upon being able to park on the road itself.
‘It was shocking to look at the areas they left free, there is very minimal parking bearing in mind there can be 25 or more cars parked along Barton Drive at any one time.
‘In my opinion the first thing people will start doing is applying for driveways which will likely reduce the parking even more.
‘The reduced parking will result in people either ignoring the parking restrictions or simply parking along sections of pavement causing pedestrians to have to walk in the road.
‘Another issue with reducing on-street parking is less parked cars will likely mean that the general speed of vehicles will be higher as there is less obstructions.
‘I would never use the proposed bus route myself, I have never used the current bus route and I just think that TDC have a lack of compassion for the people living along the stretches of road which will lose some on-street parking.’
Opinion further up the estate is far less scathing as the views of one resident of Higher Budleigh Meadow demonstrates.
‘It doesn’t bother me because I don’t catch the bus.
‘As long as I can still walk down through and into the town without being interfered with – I’m happy.’
Local residents have been making their feelings known via the Bradley Lane Bus Link consultation which launched on July 1.
The consultation, which closes on August 1, will help to shape the proposals as well as providing information on the project’s next step.
A drop-in day is being held tomorrow, Thursday, July 14, at Newton Abbot Leisure Centre for residents to air their views and find out additional information about the project.
Two question and answer sessions will be running: from 10am to 2pm and from 4pm to 8pm as well as presentations at 11am, 1pm and 6pm.