88% felt that there were major "danger spots" on the roads through, in or around Stoke Canon. The most commonly identified danger spots were: the bridge (55%), the school (53%) the Post Office corner (45%) . More than 30% of respondents (more than 100 people) felt that the entire A396 through the village (Main Road), and especially the section by the Church and Huxham turning, should be considered dangerous. Although only 8% identified the Old Mill site as a "danger spot", it is possible that these 28 people represent a fairly high proportion of residents in that area. Several respondents made specific reference to the dangers of the sharp corner adjacent to Honors Farm and the road up to Stoke Post. Speeding and inappropriate parking were problems of particular concern.

Of the speed control measures suggested, traffic calming received most interest (45%), although 23% expressed a wish to see more road warning signs.

Other suggestions; included stronger enforcement of the existing 30 mph speed limit, the creation of a 20 mph zone on the A396 through the village, chicanes or speed cameras at either end of the village, or a more visible police presence (especially at peak times), might also help curb speeding. Speed bumps on the main A396 through the village were felt to be necessary by some, but inappropriate by others given the volume of traffic. Some form of traffic calming was also suggested for Chestnut Crescent, as well as measures to prevent corner cutting and U-turns at the Huxham turning. Several respondents questioned the use of the A396 by heavy goods vehicles, including one suggestion that a weight limit on the bridge be used to divert unnecessary HGV traffic back to the M5.

50% of respondents (186 people) stressed the need for a pelican crossing over the A396 in the village, while 32% felt that some form of police control would be helpful during peak school hours. Several people expressed support for continuing the work of the lollipop lady. Over 100 people (27%) agreed that a child safety barrier was needed at the junction of River Close with Main Road, in close proximity to the children’s play-park.

Excessive or dangerous parking on the A396 was highlighted by numerous respondents as a key safety issue, with the Post Office corner, school and the section of the A396 from Huxham turning to Stoke Canon Inn mentioned as particular problem areas. Suggested solutions ranged from encouraging parents to park away from the school during drop-off/collection, to "judicious" extension of yellow lines and enforcement by police. School transport is discussed further below.

72% of respondents stressed the need for a public car park in the village, while a total of 30% supported residents parking schemes and provision of space for commercial vehicle parking.

76% of 388 respondents felt that there was a need for an off-road drop-off/pick-up facility for the school. Suggestions were for a car park on ground adjacent to the school playground, using the new car park by the village hall, and prohibiting parking along the main road and the road to Huxham when dropping off/collecting. 18 parents favoured parent-accompanied walking, and 10 expressed interest in the idea of a ‘walking bus’ as an alternative to delivering children by car.

Questions regarding possible improvements to the safety of Stoke Canon Bridge for all users produced a strong response (69% of 377 respondents) in favour of a separate footpath constructed alongside the existing bridge, and only 13% preferring a footpath demarked on the bridge itself. Some people suggested that a separate footpath could also act as a cycle-path and even a bridle-way. Others stressed that residents near the Mill were part of the village, and deserved the provision of safer access to the centre. In relation to other safety measures, 55% felt that street lighting would help, while 44% suggested a system of traffic lights to ensure single file traffic across the bridge.

While the majority felt the condition of roads, pavements and verges in Stoke Canon to be reasonable or good, 101 people (27%) did express concern over poor maintenance of verges,

76 were dissatisfied with the state of the roads and 56 people with the condition of pavements.

Current provision of street lighting gained general approval, (42% good, 44% reasonable). Of the few specific written comments which were made, some people favoured further lighting (especially for the bridge, Chestnut Crescent and the footpath to Rewe) while others felt there was already too much.

The extent and condition of pavements gave rise to many comments, with the lack of adequate pavement along the Stoke Canon Inn side of the A396, and in other key areas, a common theme. People suggested:

• pavements could be extended to the North end of the village (towards Rewe),
• new pavements along the length of Chestnut Crescent, particularly to provide children with

Dangerous narrow stretches (especially outside Fortescue Cottages), overhanging branches, grass and weeds, litter and dog fouling were also identified as common problems.

Road surfaces were felt by some to be of generally poor quality throughout the village and surroundings, although numerous respondents made specific mention of the very poor surface of the road up to Stoke Post. With respect to poor maintenance of verges, the main A396, Culvert Road, Chestnut Crescent, Vinnicombes Road and the road up to Stoke Post were identified as particular problem areas.

It is no great surprise that more than half of those responding considered flooding by surface water to be a problem. Indeed, the condition, cleanliness and effectiveness of drains proved to be major issues, with an overwhelming 69% of respondents (276 people) expressing dissatisfaction. Most areas of the village appear to be affected to some degree, with specific areas of frequent flooding identified in Main Road (A396), Chestnut Crescent, Culvert Road, Barton Close, Old Barn Close and Gardiner Close. A total of 8 respondents highlighted poor drainage and flooding in Chestnut Crescent, with one suggestion that the problem had worsened since the road had been resurfaced. Several people also identified large sections of the main A396 (between Beares and the Post Office and between "The Late Kings Arms" and the bridge) as presenting major flood hazards, as well as the section of road near the lay-by at the Mill end and the hill up to Stoke Post. Reasons identified for the poor drainage included infrequent cleaning and maintenance of drains and gullies, as well as a general feeling that the provision of drains was simply inadequate to meet the villages needs, especially in times of flood.

Of 263 respondents, 111 (42%) were dissatisfied with existing public transport services. Specific concerns included poor access to places other than Exeter and lack of provision for disabled persons. 61 people stated that they were dependent on public transport to make some or all journeys.

Most popular uses of the buses appear to be shopping (58% often or occasionally) and social/leisure activities (53%). Although fewer than 25% currently use the bus to travel to work (16 people often, 20 occasionally), the fact that a fairly high proportion of residents do not work must be borne in mind. 53 respondents use the bus often or occasionally for medical visits. The bus service clearly provides a vital transport link.

Specific problems identified were:

• lack of a signed bus stop and shelter (or even space for a bus to pull in) near the Mill
• absence of a shelter for Tiverton-bound passengers in the village
• difficulty in seeing buses approaching from the shelter on the Exeter-bound side.

People wanted:

• increased frequency of buses, especially in the evenings,
• more buses through the day to improve access to the doctors’ surgery in Silverton (see below)
• availability of return fares on services before 9 am.

Although more people would use the buses if they were more frequent, written comments suggest high fares are a barrier to travelling on the bus.

Of a total of 396 respondents, 260 (66%) expressed some interest in the use of a station halt in Stoke Canon, although 99 of these (25%) stated that their use of such a service would only be infrequent. Nevertheless, the potential for 29 passengers from the village on a daily basis, and 79 others weekly, might deserve some commercial consideration.

Although the majority of respondents do not have problems in getting to medical facilities or services, there are a substantial number of individuals who occasionally or often experience difficulties. Access to doctors (54 people occasionally having difficulty, 38 people often) and to hospital (47 people occasionally, 21 people often) appear to present the greatest problems. Some respondents noted that, without a vehicle, regular access to any medical facility became a problem.