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Colston Residents’ Association
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Three-mile long Colston Road has until recently been a very isolated area of the parish. The only direct links with the main village are unmetalled green lanes. This isolation has been reduced since the inauguration of the Colston Residents’ Association as a response to plans to completely close the Buckfastleigh end of the route for rebuilding of the road and crash barrier.
The Association now liaises on a variety of issues with:
Rattery Parish Council, South Hams District Council and Devon County Council, on matters concerning the two miles from The Steiner school to Beara caravan site.
and
Buckfastleigh Town Council, Teignbridge District Council, and for the mile from Beara to Buckfastleigh.
Communication between the councils, residents, and other organisations is now well served by Association circulars, which can on request include attachments from other local organisations.
For more information about the association contact Bob Smith (Chairperson).
Telephone 01364 642195 or email smikat@btinternet.com.
Click here to view/download PDF file about history of road.
Greetings at a time of many changes!
As we all know, the weather is likely to remain hot for at least another fortnight – this is apparently a record because it will mean that we have experienced temperatures of over 30 degrees for three months in a row. Advice on ways of surviving the heat can be found on the Devon County Council and at least some of the local district council websites. The Dart is naturally shallower than usual at this time of the year, but (without being over cautious) we must remember rumours of sewerage being high in many rivers and certainly need to avoid accidentally swallowing any river water if using the Dart for recreation.
Latest fairly popular plans for local government changes seem to include Exeter, Torbay, and Plymouth being unitary (all service) authorities and Devon County Council taking responsibility for the rest of the county (all the current district council areas). Our current county councillor, Dan. Thomas, who is also current leader of the South Hams District Council, would remain an important contact for us. His party leader is also Leader of Devon County Council.
Another but national change due to take place in the near future is the switch from landline telephones operating on copper lines to them utilising wi-fi which many homes already have to aid internet and television transmissions Companies providing telephone services are supposed to write to customers warning them of the changes which may in some cases involve staff visiting homes to install or modify wi-fi apparatus and arrange possible change of old handsets.
A reminder that the latest planning application in respect of Merrifield at the Steiner end of the road is being allowed extra time for comment by The South Hams District Council. The original planning notice was not posted in a valid position, so a new one is now on the gate outside The Merrifield Bungalow. This is in respect of effectively doubling the size of the bungalow and possibly dividing it, but it does not mention what appears to be a possible proposal (illustrated by a separate hand painted/written sign on a gate between the bungalow and the campsite) to utilise at least part of the bungalow as an office for organisation of adventure holidays. The second sign does not indicate whether or not the holidays would be open to people not resident on the campsite. Written comments on the current formal application for the bungalow to the Chief Planning Officer of The South Hams District Council within a week from now. Reference can, if desired, potentially be made to the second sign although it is not currently part of a planning application and there is no current planning permission to use it as a commercial site for organisation of adventure activities.
This is the time of the year when police are particularly looking out for “raves” (sometimes run by people from outside the area and without permission of landowners and sometimes involving use of drugs). In current temperatures untended barbecues or other fires often involved in such events could ignite undergrowth as has happened in North Wales. If our residents find problems with noise or sudden increase in traffic, just call the police who have power to insist on reduction or elimination of noise and would undoubtedly draw attention to dangers of fires. There was a problem with noise on the other side of the river a fortnight ago but the very loud “music” suddenly stopped (possibly because of complaints) and half an hour later restarted at a much lower level and with outward flow of vehicles. The police recently ran an alert weekend over the whole region which resulted in action over various lawbreaking involving drugs and driving offences, and, at extremes, led to seizure of vehicles. Those with computers can look at Neighbourhood Watch bulletins giving detail
Attention has been drawn to damage to the surface of Colston Road in two places by incessant rain and extreme heat. It will be realised that such problems exist in bigger numbers and causing greater danger on roads all over the county and that senior figures in County Highways are reasonably and sensibly giving priority to large and heavily used routes. We have every reason to be grateful to volunteers (who do not wish to be named) who have been clearing drains to remove flooding and using cold-tar (in the past issued free by Highways) to patch defects. There is absolutely no point in (as I was concerned to find suggested) critical or even aggressive letters being sent to Highways criticising quality of resurfacing of our road (done because it is a cycle route) some years ago and which anyone familiar with local government will appreciate will if anything reduce chances of quick repair. Quietly making our road as safe as possible and keeping a good relationship with senior figures in Highways is the best way of getting things done as was illustrated when the association was started four years ago because contractors wanted to completely close the Buckfastleigh end for repairs but at our request Highways insisted that contractors kept the route open at night and allowed passage of local or emergency traffic when repairs were being carried out during normal working hours.
Last change to be mentioned is to welcome two new officers at the Buckfastleigh end of the road in which we have not had officers to pass on any concerns in the past. They are Norbert and Stella Staab of “Kilbury Manor”. On the other hand, we regret to mention withdrawal of popular John Thorne whose family have run Beara campsite since the distant past before planning permission for campsites was needed and as previously mentioned has been in hospital and is now requiring supportive care. He has for some time been concerned about possible controversy about proposed development of a large solar panel site on land owned by one of these friends on the other side of the river. John is unwell and understandably doesn’t want anyone to think that he is an officer involved in objections. Also going is Robin Wiliams who lives near Rille Estate and recently withdrew as an officer for personal reasons after kindly passing on concern about above mentioned need for subsidence-repair of a short part of Colston Road near his home.
Thanks to volunteers who in John Thorne’s absence removed parts of his storm damaged Oak tree which were partially blocking the road between “The Croft” and Beara Farm. It appears that sections (now sun-dried) left over in the lay-bye are gradually being cut back, possibly for use as fire- logs.
With school holidays just commencing, the following events may be of interest as well as visits to our many beaches and vast number of commercial holiday attractions:
Rattery Show and Sports (full advertisement of classes distributed with last circular): 1400 on Saturday, August 1st (details on 01295 670398 or here); Haldon Forest Cycle and Adventure Routes (details on 03000675826); Pennywell Farm , very varied family events every half an hour (details on 01364 642023); The South Devon Steam Railway (01364 644370); Ashburton Chamber Music Festival, July 17th-26th (01364 653426); “The Scarlet Pimpernell” live play, 1930, Buckfastleigh Town Hall , 25th July (01364 642576); Buckfast Abbey Summer fair, August 6th to 8th (01364 645500); British Firework Championships, Plymouth Hoe, 12 and 13th August (01752 306330); Dartmouth Regatta Fireworks, 29th August (01803 834224). Naturally those with the internet can research vast range of other events in Devon and Cornwall and those without can (with assistance) use computer at Buckfastleigh Library (in Town Hall).
Anyone else prepared to join officers welcome! The more information about causes for any concern or offers of help the better. Take care over our numerous cyclists. Best wishes. Bob. and current officers.
