CONFIRMATION has been given that the Kingskerswell bypass will go ahead if the result of the public inquiry into road closure orders came out in favour, said Totnes MP, Anthony Steen.

The three-week inquiry at the Passage House Hotel, Kingsteignton, heard in July, that a possible start date could have been made for early next year if the i's were dotted and the t's crossed.

Replying to a parliamentary question from Mr Steen last week, the South West Minister Jim Knight said construction on the £130 million link road was not expected to start until October 2010.

Speaking from the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Steen said he was delighted confirmation had been given. 'One is keeping one's fingers crossed. I would be over the moon if it takes place because it will open up industry and tourism for Torbay.

'It is the lifeline we have been waiting for. We all want it to be built. Well most of us anyway,' he said.

Looking ahead to next year's General Election he said the one thing not wanted were delays which might cause a rethink.

'We have to be very worried that a new government might wish to review spending commitments whoever the government is.

'But I am mildly optimistic if the Conservatives get back it will be full steam ahead,' said Mr Steen.

In his parliamentary answer, Mr Knight said that subject to confirmation of the orders and final funding approval, Devon County and Torbay Councils now expected construction to start in October 2010 and be complete in October 2013.

The long-awaited link road was included in the south west's ten-year transport funding proposals in February, supported by the Department for Transport in July.

Mr Steen said delays on the A380 between Newton Abbot and Torbay were a major deterrent to businesses moving to the area, as well as visiting tourists.

'When the first sod of earth is dug for the bypass, I will be there,' he said.

Teignbridge MP, Richard Younger-Ross, said originally estimated start dates were given as 2011 and 2012, so it was good news that it could be starting next year.

He said he would be meeting some of the objectors – the Kingskerswell Alliance presented a strong case for alternative proposals at the inquiry – to try to get answers to some of their concerns.

On October 27 at the Passage House Hotel, a public inquiry will hear applications for supplementary compulsory purchase orders for part of Kerswell Down Common, south of Maddacombe Road, and for 17,556 sq mts of woodland north west of Churchway Lane.

The inquiry will also consider other access and side road orders.

At last week's Devon County Council meeting, Newton Abbot councillor Gordon Hook raised various issues about the link road.

His particular concern was access to Milber, Aller and Buckland in the event of an accident blocking the blue light services.

Cllr Stuart Hughes replied that in the event of an accident blocking the road between Penn Inn and St Marychurch Road/Shaldon Road, blue light services would have to travel along the new section of the A380 to Aller Junction and then double back to access residential areas.

He acknowledged that this would be a longer route, but said the emergency services had seen the plans and had not made any adverse comments.

Cllr Hook commented that he was not happy with this response as many concerned residents had contacted him.

'The potential delays that are being built into this scheme can cost lives and no one can be satisfied with that,' he stated.

Cllr Hughes accepted an invitation from Cllr Hook to visit the site to see the problems first hand.