‘Keep coaches out of Honiton’s one-way system’

Plea from residents’ association chairman, Ken Sherman.

As efforts continue to find a temporary home for Honiton’s coach park during works to develop the Beehive Community Centre, a plea has been issued to East Devon District Council - ‘Keep it out of the town’s one-way system’.

Ken Sherman, chairman of the Northcote Lane Area Residents’ Association, fears buses and lorries could end up being re-directed to spaces near Honiton Community College.

He says that could add to pollution woes in the area and pose a danger to students walking to and from school.

“It would put heavy traffic right in the area of the college,” he told the Midweek Herald.

“It would be a cause of pollution and a potential danger to children on their way to and from school.

“The traffic situation in that one-way system is very congested two or three times a day and to add to that would be unacceptable.”

Mr Sherman suggests buses be temporarily allowed to park at Honiton Railway Station and lorries sent to the rest area at Turk’s Head.

No start date for construction work on the Beehive has been announced and fund-raising continues to plug a cash shortfall.

A spokesman for East Devon District Council, which provides the coach parking facility in Honiton, said: “We are still looking at options for the temporary removal of the coach park from Dowell Street.

“No site has been earmarked and various options are being considered.

“It should be remembered that on completion of the Beehive, a proportion of the car park, including coach parking, would be reinstated.”