AS exclusively revealed in last week’s Mid-Devon Advertiser, the people of Newton Abbot have said they do not want a blanket 20mph limit in the town.

Now Newton Abbot Mayor, Cllr Mike Joyce, has called on the county council to back the people’s choice which was revealed following a public consultation.

However, the consultation, which attracted 1,489 responses, also showed that there was overwhelming support for 20mph limits outside the town’s schools, nurseries, and pre-schools.

Cllr Joyce said: ‘The results of the public consultation could not be any clearer, residents of Newton Abbot would welcome speed reductions near schools and nurseries, but not a blanket 20mph limit.

‘I am pleased their wishes will be respected by the County Council who must now work with the community to identify where and when the changes could be introduced.

‘I must stress that while the people of my town have had their say, this should in no way be seen as a model for other Devon communities.

‘A one-size-fits-all approach is not the right one and local conditions must be taken into account when determining the best way to deliver safer roads and lower vehicle emissions.

‘I thank everyone who took part in this exercise and look forward to seeing how the results of the consultation will translate into action in the coming months.’

The proposals for a 20mph speed limit across Newton Abbot have been withdrawn.

Devon County Council will now consider what can be delivered for the community to support reduced speeds at these locations. Any new scheme will be subject to the normal legal consultation process.

The consultation was available online and on paper and took place between October and November this year.

It followed Cabinet recommendations to investigate the viability of a community-wide scheme which included main roads and residential areas.

The consultation asked those who work and live in the town 25 questions and invited people to add their ideas and comments to an interactive map depicting the proposed extent of the scheme.

The question asking if people supported 20mph limits outside schools, nurseries, and pre-schools was supported by 77 per cent of respondents - the highest level of support out of any question in the consultation.

The consultation also asked if residents supported a 20mph limit on residential roads – 46 per cent were in favour and 54 per cent were against.

Another question invited people to give their views on 20mph speed limits on the town’s main roads – 21 per cent supported this, while 79 per cent were opposed.

Of those who responded to the consultation, 84 per cent live or work in Newton Abbot and nine out of 10 live or work in Teignbridge.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management said: ‘We said, from the outset, that this scheme would be shaped by those who live and work in Newton Abbot and its delivery depended on their support.

‘We have asked the residents and we have listened to what they have told us; the majority do not want a community wide scheme.

‘However, it is also clear that a large majority of people continue to have concerns about vehicle speeds outside schools and nurseries and now we will now consider what we can deliver to reflect this. We hope to be able to present our initial ideas early next year.’

‘It’s important to say the result of this consultation does not preclude the prospect of looking at schemes in other areas if that is what people want. We are committed to moving ahead with schemes in the coming year as discussed at Cabinet on December 8.’