Nick Scales, of Cartwright Crescent, Teignmouth, writes:

When Theresa May was ’appointed’ Prime Minister by her default coronation nine months ago [13 July 2016] - simply because it was clear there was no one else suitable for the role, she made a speech about having a “mission to make Britain a country that works for everyone” but nine months in has the baby been delivered and are her local councillors in town/parish, districts/borough and counties sticking with the script?

I was speaking on Friday evening to some local residents whilst enjoying and evening stroll on the East Cliff we were watching a ship leave Teignmouth for international shores. They mentioned that the port isn’t doing as well as it used to but we all agreed it was a great asset to the town meaning we did not just have to rely on the usual seaside tourist trade. Then we all agreed that our current councils [Teignmouth Town & Teignbridge District] put too much emphasis on Tourism and visitors and not enough on local residents, the year round bread and butter business for the town and several things in local papers about our councillors highlight this. The attitudes towards the Tourist Information Centre, the attitude towards parking fees versus support of local buses and the ongoing saga of The Cliffden Hotel.

Firstly I thought it was good to see Collr Eden on the streets of Teignmouth on April 1 collecting signatures to support better tourist information (Teignmouth Post and Gazette April 7 page 3]. The reports in previous editions from TIC staff, residents, visitors and local councillors of various parties (Cllr Orme, Conservative and Cllr Eden, Lib Dem) have all largely agreed the current TIC corner is inadequate for Teignmouth. When you consider it’s not much bigger than the visitor attractions rack at Teignmouth Station or in public houses like The Ship, Ye Olde Jolly Sailor it does sell Teignmouth short. Especially when Shaldon and Dawlish muster up a full sized information point in much smaller towns. Cllr Russell highlighted that increasingly visitor/tourist Information was required to be much more self sufficient finance wise, but understanding that fact surely a Theatre Booking service, Hotel Booking service or coach tour/Express coach and rail ticket agent as part of a tourist centre helps this. Also many inland authorities have opened Information Centres like the new combined Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council, South Down National Park, Tourism South East centre opened in the small town of Haslemere. Not only does this provide Visitor Information BUT local services information to residents. Surely such an Information centre in an empty shop close to car parks and transport links could provide the much needed TIC and relieve need for people to phone or visit Bitton House/ Forde House/ County Hall. It could even act as payment agent for Rents, Parking Permits, Parking Fines. Even if the main admin was still done by the respective councils. This provides BOTH an asset for visitors and locals alike and justifies the cost of operation more.

Secondly our councillors regularly complain about Teignmouth’s Parking and parking charges situation yet when compared to some of our neighbouring authorities [Exeter, South Hams, Torbay UA] Teignmouth parking is not unreasonable. Lets me honest NO ONE like pay parking in an ideal world it would be free 24/7. But for the car Teignmouth is not ideal. So make parking charges fair and reasonable, and use revenue raised to support the community.

Which brings me neatly onto local buses. Cllr Eden spoke to the town council with concern about local bus services. [Teignmouth Post, March 24, page 4]. Surely the most cost effective way of reducing traffic and parking issues in Teignmouth. I was astounded at the replies. Cllr Russell implies that like the highly subsidised network in London run by expensive £335,000 each vanity hybrid buses designed for a Conservative mayor, Teignmouth buses come in twos. Whilst this is true it is two separate routes that come from Paignton/Dawlish Warren [22] and connect into Newton Abbot/Exeter direction services. To allow transfer from places like St. Marychurch – Exeter where no direct service exists. The other reason for bunching is traffic since outside Labour Controlled Exeter Bus Lane and Bus Priority routes are few and far between across Devon. As for Cllr Russell’s comment regarding buses standing in Wellington Street spewing fumes perhaps she needs reminding WHICH Government cutback the Green Bus Fund preventing commercial operators like Stagecoach, Country Bus and Dartline getting off the shelf hybrid or electric buses whilst still funding Boris Johnson’s Vanity “New Routemaster” in Greater London. What really bemused me in the report was ’Independent’ Deputy Mayor Cllr Paul Burgess saying ’The council should not be getting involved in things they had no influence over’. This from a councillor keen to bail out a hotel for sale on the open market.

Here’s a thing though under the amendments of the Transport Act 2000. A town or parish council CAN subsidise , support or influence commercial operation of a bus service as long as it provides firstly a service to the councils rates and taxpayers, does not impede existing services nor provide subsidised competition. This is why Dawlish and Newton Abbot have community transport. Some councils, Cumbria for example - have devolved bus subsidy to parish councils directly. There is NO reason why Teignmouth Town Council or Teignbridge DC could not use influence with Stagecoach, Country Bus & Dartline or Devon County Council regarding provision of more frequent trunk routes or later evening town service. Surely Cllr Burgess this is a FAR better use of councillors time than buying a hotel, which would be much better sold on the open market and would probably have been bought by a pan-European hotel group if it had not been for the isolation politics of Theresa May and Brexit Britain?

A country that works for everyone? Lets see if we can get a council that works for everyone first.

Nick Scales

1 Cartwright Crescent

TEIGNMOUTH

TQ14 9DY