BYPASS TO BECOME A TOLL ROAD?

4.44.41pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 29th Jun 2010

Councillor Steve Darling has written to Conservative Mayor Nick Bye asking if discussions have been held about the proposed Kingskerswell bypass becoming a toll road.

Councillor Darling's intervention follows a public letter from Conservative MEP Giles Chichester advocating a toll road.

Councillor Darling's letter says:

"I note Giles Chichester's MEP letter to the Herald Express 24.6.10 advocating that the Kingskerswell Bypass should be a toll road. I understand that it is common practice where toll roads are introduced for smaller parallel roads to be made "no through roads" to maximize the income from the toll Road. I also understand that a scheme the size of our bypass is likely to require a £6 toll.

In light of the above can you please advise me whether any consideration was given to making the Kingskerswell bypass a toll road at your meeting with Devon County Council and the Government office South West on Tuesday 22 June of this week? I look forward to your comments."

Commenting on his letter Councillor Darling said, "I read Giles Chichester's letter with interest. However, I fear that a toll road would put people off from coming to Torbay and thus affect our tourism. Local residents who already suffer from the lowest incomes in the far south west would be saddled with an increased cost of living. Combined with the closure of the St Marychurch Road alternative route, and the very low number of direct trains from Paignton and Torquay to London, a toll road could be very damaging. I look forward to hearing if this idea was discussed at the meeting with Devon County Council and Government South West - and also hearing what Mayor Nick Bye's personal views are."