Safety must be considered

Old Elm Road on the Heathfield estate is a very busy road, and no other road on the state can be reached without using the section which leads off the main Sidmouth Road. It is approximately 100 metres from the roundabout to Oak View. A few years ago there was a deputation to the House of Commons, led by Sir Peter Emery MP, W Cogger, Mayor of Honiton and other persons - it was understood there would be no direct vehicular access to Old Elm Road for safety reasons.An access has somehow been established, only 50 metres from the junction with the roundabout. This is a blind access and, although this access was established a while ago, it has never been in regular use, as it only accommodates a camper van, which has been taken out maybe 10 times. When this vehicle is taken out and returned, invariably it needs two people to ensure safety.A planning application has been submitted for a three-bedroomed bungalow to be built, with proposed access to Old Elm Road at this point. If the bungalow is built, this dangerous manoeuvre will be taking place on a daily basis. The dropped kerb in this area is meant to be for pushchairs, invalid chairs, disabled or handicapped pedestrians. We also have a gas sub-station and a postbox at this access point. Many elderly people use the postbox and people park there to post letters. We now have two bus routes catering for the people on this estate. As said earlier, this is a spine road and, in cases of emergency, police, doctors, ambulances and fire-engines must be able to enter this estate, without having unnecessary hazards.Cars pulling out of this access or parked on this part of the spine road will radically increase the chance of serious accidents.I hope that the planning application will be found unacceptable and I hope the authorities concerned will seriously consider the above and reach a sensible decision for the benefit and safety of everyone on the estate.Liz Brown28 Oak ViewHoniton