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COLERIDGE ASSOCIATION OF PARISH COUNCILS PRESS RELEASE 2 February 2001 PARISH COUNCILS BAND TOGETHER TO CALL FOR SLAPTON ROAD ACTION Parish councils which surround the storm-hit, 250-metre stretch of the A379 at Slapton Sands have banded together to call for a solution to the loss of this valuable section of road.
Under the umbrella of the Coleridge association of Parish Councils (see editor's notes below), the group has already met with local county council representatives, Cllr. Owen Masters and meet with their MP, Anthony Steen today, Friday 2 February. Joan Mason, Chairman of the Coleridge Association of Parish Councils says: "The A379 is a vital link from Kingsbridge to Dartmouth and all the surrounding villages". "We welcome the statement by South Hams District Council and Devon County Council that they are working closely with the experts and all interested parties to find a solution. We are also very pleased to hear that our MP will be taking up the case on our behalf". Dennis Goadby is also a representative on the Coleridge Association of Parish Councils and he says: "The loss of this link has already affected our businesses and has had an impact on the social life of the area. We feel it could mean that emergency services take longer to respond to call-outs in some of our parishes". "We already have experience of the economic hardship felt by local businesses from the landslip and subsequent road closure at Blackpool Sands in the early 1900's and the long-term effect of this latest closure on our economic and social fabric is unimaginable". Representatives from the 8 parish councils which make up the Coleridge Association of Parish Councils heard local historian, Anne Born outline the history of Slapton Sands. She explained that the shingle barrier has been calculated by various geologists to be 1800 years old. The road, or The Line as it was probably named when the Turnpike was created in 1856, was originally a walkway across the sand ridge, for at least a thousand years. The first artificial road surface was based on faggots or reeds and metalled after 1920, at first with dry-bound macadam and later bitumen. The extensive damage to the road has revealed the various layers beneath the surface, from sand, through peat, shells and hardcore to tarmacadam. The Association has set up a group of representatives from each of the parish councils who will meet regularly to exchange information and keep their local communities informed. Media Contact: Dennis Goadby on 01548 580006 Editor's Notes: The Coleridge Association of Parish Councils is formed from representatives from: Chivelstone, East Allington, East Portlemouth, Frogmore & Sherford, Slapton, Stoke Fleming, Stokenham and Strete Parish Councils. In addition to the issue of concern for the effect on the economic activity in the area, the parishes fear for the effect on parishioners who use the Village Hall at Slapton for a doctor's appointment and for Whist Drives. They are also concerned for the effect of the increased traffic on the very narrow lanes which have already suffered from the recent bad weather. Press release prepared and issued on behalf of Coleridge Association of Parish Councils by Pat Nettleton. 01548 580827/07866 752314. |
