NEWTON Abbot Mayor, Cllr Carol Bunday, has urged residents not to miss Monday’s deadline for comments on proposed changes to the town’s bus services.

A plan tabled by Teignbridge District Council would result in a new bus-only lane running along Bradley Lane in a bid to avoid congestion on existing routes.

Parking and trees would be lost in Huntswell Road and Barton Drive and some buses would no longer stop at Newton Abbot Leisure Centre, Coombeshead Academy and Newton Abbot College.

Supporters claim the changes would improve air quality and ‘transport choices’ for people without cars in Highweek.

But when members of the town council were given a presentation on the proposals last Wednesday, few had anything to say in favour.

Cllr Mike Hocking said: ‘I cannot see any benefit at all for Bradley Valley, Bradley Lane and Highweek.

‘You are eliminating two-thirds of the people living in that are from using the buses.

‘This is one of the main issues not mentioned in the consultation.

‘I’m sorry, but this needs to be changed now before we go any further.’

Cllr Mike Ryan questioned the performance of operator Stagecoach which, he claimed, was already guilty of letting passengers down through failing to meet existing commitments.

‘How the hell are they going to run another service,’ he said.

Highweek member Cllr Richard Jenks offered his support in principle but expressed concerns about the loss of residents’ parking.

Fergus Pate, chief delivery officer for Teignbridge, acknowledged Cllr Jenks’ concerns saying: ‘More work will need to be done looking at that.’

He also played down fears that Highweek village would lose existing services.

After the meeting Cllr Bunday said: ‘It’s clear that some people have real concerns about these proposals.

‘But whether you’re for or against it, have your say before Monday’s deadline.

‘As we saw not long ago when a blanket 20mph limit was proposed, the people said no and the plan was dropped.

‘Residents can have an influence and it would be a great pity if they didn’t exercise their right to  comment.’

The proposals can be viewed at www.teignbridge.gov.uk.