PLANS for a series of major road improvements in Highweek are to be unveiled next week in three public exhibitions, writes Simon Blackburn.
The developments, which include traffic calming, waiting restrictions and changes to traffic flow, are the result of four separate school travel plans and should make the journey to school safer for hundreds of pupils.
Those most likely to benefit are pupils of Coombeshead College, Highweek Primary, St Jospeh's Catholic Primary and Knowles Hill School. Pupils, staff and parents put together the travel plans over 12 months, considering alternatives to using cars for lifts to school.
The exhibitions – at Highweek Village Hall on Tuesday, Highweek Primary School on WEdnesday and Coombeshead College on Thursday, all between 2pm and 7pm – will allow members of the public to comment on the scheme, highlighting concerns and possible improvements for the future, and will contribute towards the development of a community travel plan.
Roads affected will be; Coombeshead Road – waiting restrictions and traffic calming; Pitt Hill – waiting restrictions; Ashburton Road – new signal controlled Toucan crossing; Wain Lane – improvements to the parking area and new one-way access from Ashburton Road; Highweek Road – formation of a cul-de-sac on the town side of the junction with Broadlands Avenue; School lane – 50m of one-way from Highweek Road to Coombeshead Lower School; Dyrons Leisure Centre – reversal of traffic flow through car park.
Councillor David Morrish, Devon County Council's portfolio holder for environment, said: 'The proposals would improve road safety for residents and reduce traffic flows through some residential streets, with specific aims of reducing shortcuts along unsuitable residential roads.'
If you are unable to attend any of the public exhibitions but would like to pass comment on any of the planned improvements, contact 01626 353652.