Towns across Dartmoor say rural infrastructure is ‘not coping’ with pace of development

Residents in Dartmoor’s market towns say their roads, transport links and public services are struggling to keep up with rapid development.

People in Tavistock, Okehampton and Bovey Tracey have raised concerns over traffic congestion, unreliable public transport and difficulties accessing healthcare, warning that new housing is being built without the infrastructure to support it.

‘Roads can’t cope with new estates’

In Tavistock, locals say the growing number of new housing estates is putting a strain on the town’s infrastructure.

“The A386 and B3362 regularly shut due to accidents,” one resident said.

“The diversion routes through Horrabridge and Milton Abbot can’t handle the volume.”

Stephen Scaife, who lives locally, added: “Developers take 20 acres of agricultural land a year from us. The town doubles in size and the infrastructure stays the same.”

David Dawe said traffic issues had worsened since the redesign of Drake’s Roundabout, which he wants reverted. 

Jasmin Harries said parking had become more difficult: “It was already at a premium before the building of numerous new estates.”

Bovey Tracey: concerns over speed and safety

Residents in Bovey Tracey say increased traffic has led to dangerous conditions for pedestrians.

“Trying to cross Monks Way into town is taking your life in your hands,” said Susie Scriber Tame. 

“Drivers ignore the zebra crossing - there have been so many near misses outside Lidl.”

The town council said it had raised concerns with Devon County Council about speeding, and had applied to join the county’s ‘20’s Plenty’ campaign to reduce speeds in residential areas. 

A safer pedestrian crossing has also been designed for Station Road, but funding is still needed to implement it.

A spokesperson told The Moorlander: “We’ve been frustrated that very little has been done, so we’ve taken forward a number of initiatives ourselves. But we lack the power and funding to make these changes - that lies with Devon County Council.”

The council also explained that, in some cases, new developments contribute funding for public services. 

For example, when the Bradley Bends housing development was approved, the developer had to fund a more frequent bus service, doubling it from hourly to every 30 minutes. However, that funding only lasted for seven years, and the service is reviewed to decide whether it’s viable to continue.

Devon County Council confirmed Bovey Tracey is not among the next 12 areas selected for new 20mph schemes.

It also said a proposed reduction to 30mph along Monks Way was rejected in 2021, although a 40mph limit was introduced near the Challabrook development.

A Devon County Council spokesperson said: “A significant number of communities across Devon have expressed an interest in introducing 20mph schemes, with over 100 proposals received over the past few years.

“All schemes are reviewed and prioritised, taking into account a number of factors including average speeds, speed related collision history, the number of vulnerable road users in that area and the level of support for a 20mph scheme in the community.

“The delivery of these schemes depends on available funding, but Bovey Tracey is not among the next 12 communities earmarked for a 20mph scheme over the next couple of years.”

Residents call for improved buses and GP access

Residents say access to GPs is also an issue across Dartmoor.

“I called the doctors this morning for a teenager in pain and was given an appointment in a week,” said Heather Ravenhall.

Bus services have also come under fire. 

Sylvia Bowden said parked cars on Ashburton Road were causing delays: “It’s just a car park. Stagecoach buses get stuck and drivers refuse to cooperate - yellow lines are needed.”

Stagecoach South West told The Moorlander its services are based on customer demand. A spokesperson for Stagecoach South West said: “All of our journeys are timetabled to suit customer demand, usage and commercial viability. The 39 Service currently operates between Newton Abbot and Exeter via Bovey Tracey, with the last departure from Newton Abbot at 1835 Monday to Friday. Having previously operated later journey times in the past, our data showed these were not well used and so were removed from operation. We continually review our services to ensure they meet the needs of the communities we serve, and we welcome feedback from passengers. While we understand the wish for later services, any changes must be supported by sufficient demand and usage.”

Okehampton taxi driver hits out at ‘short-sighted’ decisions

In Okehampton, a local taxi driver criticised what he described as “illogical and short-sighted” infrastructure decisions.

He pointed to the removal of a zebra crossing in favour of a pelican crossing, which he said causes delays and confusion, and questioned why taxis are barred from using a bus-only route on Northfield Road.

“We’re public transport too,” he said.

“We’re taking people to appointments and they want to get there on time.”

He also raised concerns about GP medical checks, saying that the withdrawal of one surgery from providing driver medicals had left people paying higher fees to private providers, sometimes to the same GPs working second jobs.

Okehampton Interchange ‘welcome but overdue’

While the planned Okehampton Interchange station has been widely welcomed, some locals questioned why it had not been built sooner.

“It’s astonishing that the largest town in Devon doesn’t have a single top-five UK supermarket,” said one resident. 

“And they saved £15 million on the original railway project but now say there’s no money for a second station.”

The £15 million Interchange project is backed by government and council funding and aims to improve rail links to Exeter and beyond. 

However, evening services remain limited, with the last train home from Exeter at 9.17pm.

GWR said it is working with Network Rail on the possibility of increasing services in future. “The line has become a real success story,” a spokesperson said. 

“The line is however also shared with Meldon quarry which it is understood is hoped to reopen soon. Freight services would have to run to the quarry before the first passenger train of the day and return after the last passenger train - We are currently working with Network Rail to help facilitate this before we can develop the business case to add further passenger services.”

Waitrose car park complaints

A number of residents also voiced frustration over congestion in the Waitrose car park in Okehampton.

“Over an hour to get out of the Waitrose car park the other day,” one shopper said. “Totally rubbish - won’t be shopping in Okehampton again.”

Waitrose told The Moorlander: “We’re sorry to hear some of our customers have been experiencing busy traffic outside our branch, particularly last weekend following a local road accident. 

“We’ve been in conversation with the local council, which owns the car park, and continue to seek a solution to ease congestion for shoppers and the local community.

“Online deliveries are available to customers who prefer Waitrose groceries delivered to their door.”

Calls for investment before further growth

Local authorities say long-term infrastructure improvements depend on government funding. But campaigners across Dartmoor warn that without urgent upgrades, rural communities risk being overwhelmed.

“We need investment now,” said one Tavistock resident. “Not after the damage is already done.”