Tim Bolt has sent us a copy of his correspondence with Devon County Council with regards to Teignmouth traffic problems:

At the risk of becoming boring, I would like to remind you of a problem that has got worse during the year (and more) since I last complained and was advised that nothing could be done. Yet more and increasing waste of time and fuel and frustration for all the unfortunate motorists who have to use this stretch of road – and there are plenty of them!

In addition to the suggestions I made then it seems only fair that pedestrians should be made to suffer a little of the frustration that motorists are forced to, and this could be effected by making them wait somewhat longer at the many crossings before the lights change in their favour.

It is extremely frustrating to watch them get to the crossing, press the button and the lights immediately change in their favour when in the snail’s pace on the road one has had time to watch the same event take place moments before for their predecessor, and often the one before that, road progress being so very slow as to allow these spectacles to be observed from a standstill.

I know people need to cross roads, but other people need to reach their destinations, and the dice appear to be unfairly loaded in favour of pedestrians on this stretch of hell. Better still, replace lights with pedestrian crossings.

It appears that there are funds to coat the pavements on Quay Road with a tar-like substance when they really do not need any maintenance, but not to channel any towards something really useful like improvements to the stretch of road in question.

I know I am not alone in my state of extreme dissatisfaction with the current situation and the obvious unwillingness of the local bloke at the top to do anything about it.

Twice this year on a perfectly normal non-bank holiday day I have witnessed westbound traffic backed up to the Eastcliff car park and Teignmouth town in total gridlock as a result. At the same time, traffic from Torquay has been backed up to the Coastview caravan site from the Shaldon Bridge traffic lights. For those not familiar with the area the queue stretched for miles!

As you will see it is well over a year since my initial complaint and I consider that it really is time – no, beyond that time – to reconsider my suggestions originally made, improve on them, come up with better solutions if you can and implement them, and generally pull fingers out.