Marcus Wood

Another Milestone on the Road.

After countless years of wrangling and false starts the Kingskerswell Bypass plan has been passed by the Regional Assembly and is now set for a public enquiry in anticipation of it's being constructed by 2011.

If there is government approval, the scheme will be on the regional priority list, which means it is agreed, subject to the level of funding from the Government for roadbuilding being sufficient to build it.

What is clear is that from now on the balance of probability has swung decisively in favour of the scheme so much so that the councils of Torbay and Devon are buying up the land they require.

I admit the long and torturous process of getting this road is confusing and challenging even for highly paid civil servants to grasp, but nonetheless it has been a shock to discover just how little had been done to push this scheme forward in recent times.

I am told that at no point prior to Nick Bye arriving had anyone from Torbay lobbied the Regional Assembly or the Regional Development Agency; both vital hurdles to overcome before the people holding the chequebook - the Department of Transport can make a decision.

Either way what's done is done and we should be thankful that things are at last on the move once more.