A LOCAL business is considering shutting up shop and moving elsewhere if the one- way system in Kingsteignton remains.
John Matthews, proprietor of The Barber Shop in Fore Street is 'embittered and angry' that his business has been affected by 30 per cent.
'My passing trade has been affected and it is not coincidental. It happened at exactly the same time as the one-way system.'
Although the one-way road forms part of an experiment in the travel plan, Mr Matthews is convinced that the system will remain.
'They put on a brave face that this is a temporary thing, but it's not. In reality, it is here to stay.'
Should the system remain, Mr Matthews said at worst, he will close or will be forced to compromise in business:
'I have thought about renting out a chair, not something I want to do but it is an option.
'My business has been affected by 30 per cent but no one is helping by a 30 per cent reduction in rates'
District councillor for Kingsteignton East, Mike Walters said the decision on the system is 'well overdue'.
In a letter, Cllr Walters said: 'Passing trade has disappeared and now it is by 'word of mouth' that business exists.'
Brian Shorland, proprietor of Country Carpets on Fore Street has 'suffered loss over passing trade'. Mr Shorland, proprietor for 16 years, used to sell rugs and smaller items which attracted the morning school and work traffic that parked nearby.
'There used to be around 200 cars going through.
'They saw what you had in the window and would stop but we don't get any of that now.'
The shop advertises prices in the window for passing trade but to little effect.
'I look out of the window now and I don't see a thing go through – it is just local people.'
Mr Shorland used to benefit from race-day trade: 'A lot of people came through now all that's gone.'
Licensee of the Bell Inn, John Barden has experienced the same problems.
'It is affecting my daytime trade and race-days.'
On race-days, Mr Barden could take up to £200 on food alone but that has disappeared:
'It has really hit my race trade. I can see the good in it for the residents but my point of view is that it is hitting my day trade.'
Andrew Butler, Devon County Council local services highways officer, will shortly be releasing documents to the parish council detailing the execution of the travel plan.
'More than 700 hundred items were presented to the consultation procedure and we have had nine letters that have expressed concern including three businesses in Fore Street,' he said.
'There is an overwhelming desire to decrease traffic through the village and Fore Street is just a small part of it.'