Electrical engineer Rob Waldron is urging Devon County Council to act fast and prohibit motorists from using a section of Hayne Lane.

Midweek Herald: Hayne Lane Honiton. Ref mhh 04-18TI 6562. Picture: Terry IfeHayne Lane Honiton. Ref mhh 04-18TI 6562. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A Honiton man has made an impassioned plea for a stretch of a scenic lane he claims is being ‘destroyed’ by vehicles to be sealed off.

Electrical engineer Rob Waldron is urging Devon County Council to act fast and prohibit motorists from using a section of Hayne Lane before it is ‘totally spoilt’.

Mr Waldron, 64, who lives in Hornbeam Close, says the continuous flow of traffic has caused deep gullies to form down both sides of the road.

Mr Waldron said: “Hayne Lane has become very dangerous road.

“These gullies have been caused by heavy goods vehicles driving to Heathpark Industrial Estate or the new housing estate adjacent to Bartlett’s Farm.

“The top of Hayne lane enters the beautiful area known as Beech Walk with trees in excess of 200 years old.

“Sadly, this area is also being damaged by vehicles which are forced to create overtaking bays because the road is not wide enough to cope.

“The whole area is going in a downward slope and will not be long before it’s totally spoilt.”

Mr Waldron said Hayne Lane was never intended to carry heavy good vehicles and the gullies could prove perilous to drivers of small cars.

He added: “Hayne Lane is a country road which was probably a main lane between Weston and Gittisham.

“It was not built to take on a constant flow of vehicles.”

Mr Waldron is urging the county council to close Hayne Lane between Bartlett’s Farm and Beech Walk.

He says the road should only be accessible to farm vehicles and walkers to let it recover from the damage.

Mr Waldron added: “This will not only make the area a pleasant walk but save a beautiful part of Honiton before being permanently spoilt.”

A spokesman for Devon County Council said: “We are not aware of any issues with Hayne Lane or Beech Walk being used as a rat run.

“Patching from Beech Walk to the A375 will be carried out in the next financial year but has not yet been programmed.

“The road is currently closed for utility work to a new development and it will be closed at a later date for the development of a new junction, but there are no plans to consider restricting access on this route.”