Service Provision

• The survey asked why people ‘usually shop within the parish’, and also why they ‘usually shop out of the parish’.
  The reasons given by people for shopping in the parish are as follows;

• Generally, people use local shops out of convenience and a wider awareness of ‘community values’. Many people said they are keen to support their local shops – and are concerned to avoid their closure – while over a third appreciate the opportunity for social contact. At the same time many people like the convenience and time saving of local shopping.

The reasons given by people for shopping outside the parish are as follows;

• The wider range of goods available is the most important reason why people shop beyond the parish. Half of the ‘out of parish shoppers’ said that access to banking facilities is a reason why they shop elsewhere.
• People were asked to list up to five items they wish they could buy in the parish (but can’t at present).

The most popular items were:

Many other items were suggested - including stationery, dry cleaning, fromage frais, ginger marmalade, Earl Grey tea, travel tickets, peat for fires, watch batteries, naan bread, plastic buckets and second-hand cars!

• The survey also asked about the demand for various services. The most popular would be:
• a cash point (the most popular by a fair margin). There is a widespread feeling that banking facilities are needed in the parish. Many residents claim they are more likely to shop outside the parish because they have to make trips to get access to a bank.
• a supply of ‘local/organic’ produce. This would fit in with the fairly high level of support for local employment in agriculture and horticulture.
• a community newsletter.
• an information point
• The majority of people rate their gas, electricity, telephone and refuse collection services as ‘good’, with refuse collection standing out as the most satisfactory, with only 3% saying it is ‘poor’. There are mixed opinions on mains water supply (42% ‘good’ 38% ‘reasonable’ 15% ‘poor’), street lighting, servicing of roads in winter weather and public toilets. Around 30% felt roadside care to be poor.
• However, by far the lowest rating was given to ‘police presence’, as many as 71% of respondents consider it is poor. This result is one of the most clear cut findings in the entire appraisal study.
• The survey asked if respondents would take part in a range of sporting and social activities if they were made available in the parish. The most popular activity would be swimming (587 people), by some margin although all the options would be viable.

Recommendations:Contact appropriate organisations, including utility companies and Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

Transport & Highways

The survey asked whether people would use various public transport improvements. Of course, the responses do not identify how often people would ‘use’ the services.

• The proposed re-opening of the railway between Bere Alston and Tavistock would be especially popular (670 people, 74%).
• A considerable number of respondents claimed that they would use improved Sunday (365, 40%) and evening (335, 37%) services on the Tamar Valley Line to and from Plymouth.
• The survey also confirms support for buses on Sundays (268, 30%) and additional evening services (302, 33%) (currently confined to Friday and Saturday evenings), as well as for more buses to meet trains at Bere Alston station (193, 21%).
• Although the totals are smaller, the demand for both a community bus service (171) and ring and ride facility (90) could indicate a genuine need for this type of more specialised public transport.
• Clear majorities would like to see more bus shelters (427, 62%) and ‘bus shelters with seats and litter bins’ (441,64%)
• A fair number of people (mainly in Bere Alston) would like to see new (629), and wider (357) pavements.
• There were mixed reactions to the idea of improvements to the road network in the parish. The table gives details, in order of ‘popularity’.

• There is a fairly strong interest in improvements to the roads from the parish to Plymouth (via Denham Bridge) and Tavistock (via Cornwall). However, the number of respondents who do not want such changes is also substantial (i.e. opinion is split on road improvement).
• More people expressed support for the re-opening of the railway to Tavistock than any specific road changes.
• There is also concern about traffic within Bere Alston.
• Many people are concerned by the movement and unloading of goods vehicles.
• Traffic calming for Bere Alston was supported by 417 people and in Bere Ferrers by 144.

Recommendation:Contact Devon County Council Transport Co-ordination Centre, Devon County Council Highways Department, West Devon Borough Council, Plymouth City Council Transport Department, and Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.