A NEWTON Abbot resident has expressed dismay at not being able to recoup money for train tickets as part of a scheme overseen by a housing developer aimed at encouraging sustainable travel.

Jeanne Howells, pictured, is one of hundreds of residents in Hele Park who recently learned they could claim £200 per household back from Taylor Wimpey for the likes of public transport or bike purchases.

Ms Howells said she purchased train tickets to see her son in London, and a rail card to help keep the fares down, and believed she would be able to recoup the majority of the £211 cost via the voucher scheme.

“We’ve had a brochure through which specifically mentions train services from Newton Abbot, so I assumed that would be part of the freebie,” she said.

“But Taylor Wimpey has responded by declining my application as they state I’m not entitled to a national railcard and that they cannot pay for individual tickets.

“It just doesn’t make sense.”

The voucher scheme recently came to light after Councillor Jacqueline Fry (Reform UK, Newton Abbot North) discovered that around £100,000-worth of the vouchers were meant to have found their way to Hele Park residents as part of a legal agreement struck in 2013.

The agreement – known as a Section 106 – sets out what benefits and contributions developers will make in line with their planning permission being granted.

In Hele Park’s case, Teignbridge District Council granted the planning application, but Devon County Council would have been responsible for coordinating the handing out the sustainable travel vouchers.

The brochure sent to residents like Ms Howells states on the front page that residents can “claim £200 towards the cost of sustainable travel”.

“A primary aim of the Residential Travel Plan, in line with government guidance, is to encourage the use of more sustainable forms of transport, such as walking, cycling, public transport, or car sharing,” the brochure states.

It goes on to provide a summary of train services, even referencing the fact that routes to London Paddington, via Reading, can be accessed from Newton Abbot.

But Taylor Wimpey said relevant rail funding was intended for season tickets for local journeys within the South West, or that residents could use it on bus season tickets or cycling or walking equipment, including bikes.

Cllr Fry criticised the refusal of Ms Howells’ application, and has written to the housing developer to convey her feelings.

“The central issue is that the guidance being relied upon to reject Mr Howells’ claim was not contained within the travel pack issued to residents, and was discussed and clarified only after vouchers had already been distributed,” she wrote.

“Residents were entitled to rely upon the information provided to them at the time they received their vouchers, the travel pack expressly refers to public transport and visiting family and friends, and highlights rail services from Newton Abbot to destinations including London Paddington, the West of England, Cornwall and the North.

“There is no reference to travel being restricted to the South West Region, nor is there any statement that individual train tickets would be excluded from reimbursement.”

Cllr Fry urged that the complaint be escalated to a senior manager for review.

A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said: “The sustainable travel funding for Hele Park is designed to help residents make local journeys on foot, by bike or by public transport, reducing reliance on travelling alone by car.

“As set out in the Travel Pack, residents can claim up to £200 towards a bus or rail season ticket, or the purchase of a bicycle, cycling equipment or walking equipment.

“The rail travel funding is intended for season tickets for local journeys within the South West, rather than journeys to destinations such as London. This claim therefore falls outside the scheme’s eligibility criteria.

“We will reimburse all eligible claims from Hele Park residents and would be happy to consider a new claim from this resident for an eligible purchase.”