Bypass could go to public inquiry

Bypass opponents say the environment is a top priority

Plans for a controversial bypass for a South West village could be sent to a public inquiry.

A bypass on the A380 at Kingskerswell has been mooted for nearly 50 years and Devon County Council was due to make a decision on Wednesday.

The congestion in Kingskerswell is notorious as the traffic hits a bottleneck in and out of Torbay.

But at the 11th hour the government has called the plans in, to the relief of bypass opponents.

The residents of Kingskerswell deserve the best environmental protection Paul Bright, Kingskerswell Alliance

Earlier this week Torbay Council gave its permission as part of the bypass falls under its jurisdiction.

But the Government Office for the South West has told both Devon and Torbay not to push ahead until Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has decided whether or not to call a public inquiry.

Opponents of the bypass say existing plans do not consider noise and the effect on the environment.

Parish Councillor Paul Bright from the Kingskerswell Alliance said: "You wouldn't want to be drowned out by the noise from a 70mph four-lane dual carriageway.

"Also if you live on the eastern side of the village, you wouldn't want to look across at a huge open wound on the countryside.

"The residents of Kingskerswell deserve the best environmental protection."