LIB DEMS URGE REGIONAL TRANSPORT BOARD TO VOTE IN FAVOUR OF BYPASS

5.04.47pm GMT Mon 26th Nov 2007

Torbay Council's former Transport Champion, and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Council Group Councillor Ian Doggett, has written to members of the South West Regional Assembly's Transport Board urging them to vote in favour of the South Devon Link Road (Kingskerswell Bypass). The Link Road comes before them for approval on Thursday, the 29th November.

Councillor Doggett's letter says:

"I am writing regarding the South Devon Link Road (Kingskerswell Bypass), which will be on the agenda of the Regional Transport Board on the 29th November.

In Torbay, and indeed across South Devon, there is broad agreement across party political lines on the real need for the South Devon Link Road.

There is an urgent need to attract business to Torbay and South Devon to help regeneration and improved Transport Links will increase our attractiveness to business. Torbay has the highest level of unemployment in the South West and one of the lowest wage rates in the region. Torbay also has high rates of business failures.

Tourism is the backbone of the local economy, and Torbay and South Devon needs the South Devon Link Road to compete with the increasing popularity of low cost flights to tourist areas abroad. Torbay also needs to attract business to help regenerate the economy and complement Tourism.

Your vote on the 29th November is a once in a lifetime opportunity to help improve the economic fortunes of Torbay and South Devon. The Liberal Democrats in Torbay urge you to vote in favour."

Commenting on his letter Cllr. Doggett said: "The South Devon Link Road is vital for Torbay. It has support from across the political spectrum. As a former Transport Champion for Torbay Council I felt it was important that I ought to write to the members of the South West Regional Transport Board and urge them to vote in favour of the Road. I also thought it was important to show them that there is cross party support for this issue."