THE infrastructure of Okehampton has been branded as the biggest problem facing the town by local business owners.

The traffic in the town was one of the topics discussed at length at last week’s chamber of trade meeting. Members were in agreement that the congestion caused huge problems and was an urgent issue that needed to be addressed by Devon County Council.

The pedestrian crossing in Market Street, said local business owners, was causing traffic to back up in School Way when it worked out of conjunction with the main traffic lights on the Fore Street junction.

The road linking Waitrose to the main set of traffic lights in town has a pelican crossing which is not in sync with the main lights, which is said to slow down traffic even further during busy periods.

A representative from Waitrose previously reported that there had been a number of complaints from customers regarding the traffic and its impact on trade in the town.

Town Mayor Cllr Jan Goffey said at the meeting: ‘The traffic issue is not the fault of Waitrose and people need to address their complaints to Devon County Council. Devon County Council and West Devon must have money tucked away somewhere and, as a town, we desperately need our traffic issue to be addressed. We cannot have our town continue to lose trade and our residents venting their frustration on traders.

‘We were previously told by Devon County Council that Okehampton was a saturation point, however they then went on to build 700 more houses!’

Members of the Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade said they were concerned that the congestion in the centre of Okehampton was affecting motorists at certain times during the day. This had the potential to have a knock-on effect on the businesses and the productivity of the town as a whole.

With the town trying to attract more visitors and a plan for residential development of up to 400 dwellings on Crediton Road, east of Okehampton recently being approved, the problem is very evident in the mind of traders who have been told by the county council that nothing will happen with regards to infrastructure for at least 10 years.

Chamber member Rob Flexman said: ‘Infrastructure is the biggest problem for the town. There was a consultation with the neighbourhood plan about infrastructure, but it just gets ignored. Something needs to be done.’

Chamber chairperson Jade Oliver-Deacon she was ‘sick’ of constantly emailing Devon County Council and getting responses saying they ‘cannot do anything’.

She said she was willing to draft up a new letter that members could all send individually with the hope that it wouldn’t be 10 years ‘before they do something about our infrastructure’.

Angela Welch, of Devon County Council, who attended the meeting to talk about working together to make things happen in Okehampton, said: ‘We are in the process of deciding what we can do in terms of these issues. We are looking into ways to go about them. We are aware of the infrastructure and traffic problems. The only difficulty I face is that I have to go and challenge my colleagues on the matter.

‘I understand that people have lots of ideas on how to fix the current problems and it is a part of my job to hear your ideas.

‘I’ve spoken to a lot of people from Okehampton already, I am interested in hearing what your ambitions are for the town.

‘It’s about how we can work together in looking at these ambitions — it isn’t just about money, it’s about people. We are willing to listen to your priorities.’

The officer, whose official title is executive assistant to the chief executive, has been given responsibility for the Okehampton area.

What are your opinions on Okehampton’s infrastructure and current traffic problems? Share your thoughts with us at okehamptonletters@ okehampton-today.co.uk