THE dangers of no double white lines – and a proposed 30mph speed limit on the A379 past Holcombe – have been outlined by residents. There is strong feeling among all 320 members of Holcombe Residents' Association that an error was made by Devon Counbty Councilwhen double white lines were not replaced after the road was resurfaced last autumn. They believe this has significantly increased danger on the road, since vehicles are now free to overtake.
Association secretary John Watson said: 'It is our clear view that these white lines should be replaced as a matter of urgency. 'In addition to the very dangerous blind brows and bends, there are five sub-standard road junctions on this stretch of road, two of which – Fordens Lane and Windward Lane – have very poor visibility on joining the main road.
'There have been several accidents and near misses on this stretch since the double white lines were not replaced and a number of them appear to be related to the lack of these road markings.' At the association's annual meeting last month, it was unanimously accepted that the double white lines should be replaced from the end of the 30mph limit leaving Teignmouth in the Holcombe direction between the Fordens Lane junction and the Smuggler's Inn.
Devon County Council has said that double white lines cannot be used on a 30mph-limit road. However, Mr Watson said that inquiries to the Department for Transport indicated that rules governing double white lines related only to visibility at different measured traffic speeds, and are not proscribed in any way by speed limits.
Holcombe residents have been asking for a 30mph limit, with double white lines, along this stretch of road for a number of years going back to the Dawlish South Community Travel Plan in 2003. 'We believe that this is essential in order to improve the safety of motorists leaving the junctions I have mentioned,' said Mr Watson. 'It is also vital for the many local people and visitors who have to cross the road on foot. Users of the coastal footpath, local people living on the east of the road and visitors going to the beach via Smuggler's Lane have to cross the road twice.' Residents want the introduction of a pedestrian refuge at Holcombe Dip, as was promised to the village in the Dawlish South Community Transport Plan. County Cllr John Clatworthy has said he will raise the matter with the county's highways and traffic orders committee.