A leading county councillor has expressed concerns at the impact future housing developments in Exmouth will have on the busy A376 to Exeter but has stressed that "improved public transport" is the answer.
So far, 350 homes have been earmarked at Goodmores Farm off Hulham Road and a further 350 approved at Plumb Park near Littleham, with 150 proposed for a site between Hulham Road and Higher Marley Road.
Residents have taken to Facebook to express their concerns via the Exmouth Voice page that when there are more houses built, the road network will not be able to cope, particularly if unforeseen circumstances arise such as that we have seen over the last two days with the diversion from the busy A376 due to flood damage.
In response, Devon County Council ward member for Exmouth, Councillor Eileen Wragg said she too is concerned at the impact hundreds of proposed new homes in Exmouth will have on the busy A376, but she said she believes the answer lies in the improvement to public transport.
"Safety of the public was paramount in this situation so the county council cannot be criticised for taking the decision to close part of the road and they have been working as fat as they can to resolve the issue," she said.
"The proposed Dinan Way link road would not have alleviated the problem because it links motorists to the A376.
"I am worried about the impact on the road network as a result of new homes, but installing new roads is a difficult business because of land ownership and purchase of land.
"And any new roads have to be funded by developers, it's as simple as that.
"Public transport is not an option for everyone depending on where their place of work is, but improved public transport is the way of improving the issue of heavy traffic in and out of Exmouth."
