Local Countryside & Environment
Most people recognise that Fore Street needs to be improved. Although we asked about visual improvements in this section there were also many comments on the same theme in other sections. There is clear desire to have a town centre that everyone can be proud of and one where people can walk safely and talk with each other. A town centre is the heart of any town and the people who use it provide the heart-beat. The use can be encouraged the stronger the beat. Alongside the need to improve the appearance of the town is an equal desire to preserve and protect the many features that make the area unique.
Other areas that you think could be improved visually are:
Recommendation
That the Town Council/DNP should ensure a strategy and action plan are in place as soon as
possible so that improvements can be made to Fore Street, and the approaches to the town, when
the new access road is completed. We believe that funding has been included in the costing for
the new road to allow for the refurbishment of the route that has been used by heavy lorries.
If action is taken quickly then it may also be possible to attract further funding through an
arts scheme which will provide a further 1% of the figure allowed for refurbishment. This money
could be spent to engage a town artist who will ensure that the character of the town is
maintained whilst themeing the street decorations. Such a person would work closely with the
planners and architects in County Hall. Other areas ot Teignbridge have already benefited from
this funding.
The landscape features you would like to be protected were very varied. Many of them are already protected but we are taking advice on those that aren't to see how they can be preserved. Amongst the features are the following:-
| church | station road bridge | old industrial buildings |
| town hall | caves | allotments |
| parks/greenbelt | woodlands | salmons leap weir |
| Tlbury weir | cricket field | duckspond |
| Oakland's sports pitch | dean prior | Buckfast |
| rivers/water courses | shops/house fronts in main street |
In addition to the above there were many written comments about the need to stop owners allowing their dogs to foul pavements, verges, footpaths and park areas.
Recommendation
There should be regular publicity in the town about the problem and advice given to members of
the public on how they can report instance of fouling to the appropriate authority. Where
practical there should be local by-laws requested to cover the most sensitive areas and
application made for a total dog-ban in all childrens' play areas.
Emergency, Environment & Other Services
The local Doctors, fire service, refuse collectors and gas/electricity services have all been given a big pat on the back by your response that they provide a good service. The same cannot be said of Community Policing who attracted the worst rating in the survey, 59% thought they were poor with only 6% thinking they were good. They were closely followed by poor ratings for the public toilets and road maintenance.
Recommendation
One question received one of the largest number of people answering it, the response in favour was also the highest number - the question? Do you agree to the use of CCTV? 76% said yes.
Surprisingly very few people had difficulty in getting to most health services, including chiropody. There does appear to be an occasional difficulty in getting to a hospital, especially for emergency treatment. The main problem is the transportation method and the time it takes to get to Torbay, especially in getting through Kingsteignton.
Recommendation
That support is given to the case for extending the dual carriageway from Newton Abbot to Torquay
and we ask that the Town Council write to the appropriate bodies to support this road improvement
in order to speed access to the nearest emergency hospital treatment.
Retail Services & Other Facilities
With so many people wanting to see visual improvements to Fore Street it is not surprising to see that very few rated the local shopping facilities as good. Most of you shopped in town to support local businesses and to save time, it also seems that many needed last minute items. When you weren't shopping here you were mostly in Newton Abbot. You shoppedat other places because you had more choice. You also thought that parking was easier in other places and goods were cheaper.
We also asked about community shops in Buckfast/Dean, it was not inly people from Buckfast who said they would use a shop in these locations. Over 62% said they would use a community shop often or occasionally, this was not far short of the number who said they shopped in Buckfastleigh.
Would you use a community shop?
Often - 16%
Occasionally - 46%
Never - 19%
Recommendation
With very nearly 600 people saying they would use a community shop the BF2000 group should give
assistance and guidance if suitable premises can be found.
Why do you shop in Buckfastleigh?
Support local shops 78.6%
Saves time - 52.8%
Social contact - 38.8%
Saves transport costs - 78.7%
No transport to go elsewhere - 21.1%
Last minute items - 53.7%
What is your opinion of shopping facilities?
Good - 7%
Reasonable - 45%
Poor - 46%
Recommendation
We have passed your views on local shopping facilities to the local Chamber of Trade with a
request that they consider the options expressed and see what action they can take with a view to
increasing trade.
We also asked what other shops you would used if they were provided - the response we had is staggering. A new clothes shop was by far the most requested followed by shoes, a butcher, a bigger supermarket and drapery/haberdashery/wool. There may be other types of shops not on the list but its very difficult to think what they might be! You expressed an opinion that you would shop more in Buckfastleigh if there was more than one of the same type of shop, this ties in with your view that other towns have more choice. As the questionnaire was anonymous we can only guess who needs a massage parlour!