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COUNCIL TO SEEK PLANNING GO-AHEAD FOR SLAPTON ROAD Devon County Council indicated its intention today (7 Feb) to seek planning permission to re-open the A379 on Slapton Line as a matter of urgency on a slightly diverted route. The announcement follows a meeting today at Council Hall, Exeter held between representatives of the County Council, South Hams District Council, English Nature and the Whitley Trust, owners of Slapton Ley, to discuss a short-term solution to the road re-opening. County Council engineers presented a scheme showing a slight diversion - effectively a bend in the existing line of the road 25 metres inland for approximately 300 to 400 metres - to provide a new carriageway capable of taking two-way traffic. It is estimated the scheme would cost between £150,000 and £200,000. Detailed investigations into re-opening what remains of the existing raod as a single lane stretch with passing bays and temporary traffic light controls have ruled this option out because of the extent of the storm damage to the ridge on the seaward side. A report on this scheme will be considered by the Council's Executive Committee on Monday (Feb 12) and, thereafter, planning permission will be sought for the new line of the road. The County Council want to re-open the road as quickly as possible because of its importance to the local community, the economy and its role as an emegency route. A spokesman for the County Council said today "It had been the hope of today's meeting that both English Nature and the Whitley Trust would have been able to give their suppport for the County Council's scheme". "However their representatives indicated that this is a matter which will have to be considered by the national headquarters of English Nature and the trustees of the Whitley Trust. Neither organisation was able to give their support yet for the scheme". "But the County Council will continue to pusue an application for planning permission for this scheme in the hope that approval from English Nature and the Whitley Trust will be forthcoming". "The Council's aim would be to secure temporary planning approval for the new line of the road so that it can be re-opened for the local community as a matter of urgency. It would also have the advantage of not interfering with the debate over the longer-term options for Slapton Line". NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS For further information please contaact the County Council Media and Public Relations Service on 01392 383290/383226. |