Exmouth and its uneasy relationship with the car | Opinion

"One of the things about living in the heart of Exmouth, aside from convenience and being close to the community I represent, is an insight into how the car impacts upon daily life.

"As I've campaigned for the Devon County elections on 6 May, I've noticed a few things and drawn a few conclusions which I'd like to share with you.

"Firstly, it's become apparent that social responsibility and an ability to naturally 'do the right thing' doesn't, sadly, come naturally to some of us.

"Speeding and not following the Highway Code on Hulham Road continues, despite warnings and protestations from residents.

"People not adhering to dropped kerbs, yellow lines, polite notices asking to keep a driveway clear as disabled access is required are all too common, and all things I'm regularly contacted about.

"Finally, and I know I will come across as a fuddy-duddy killjoy for this, the growing number of small cars, initially conceived for a mother to pop down to the shops in, modified to within an inch of their lives, screeching and wailing around town, sounding like their poor little engines are about to explode at any minute.

"Followed by the inevitable, and increasingly loud, bangs, cracks and pops, causing seagulls to flee in terror and residents of the town to wake at 2am for the third night in a row.

"So, what to do.

"Hulham Road is simple, relatively speaking. Traffic calming measures, a pedestrian crossing to enable safe transit for walkers across what is a busy road at times and more regular enforcement of the law would, I think solve the issue instantly.

"So this is what I'll ask for if elected. Spend a bit of money, potentially save many lives - it doesn't appear that complicated on the face of it.

"Parking - hopefully the residents' parking scheme soon to be introduced to the town centre should alleviate some of the pressures but again, more enforcement is, unfortunately needed. And, perish the thought, people not acting selfishly and thoughtlessly.

"If elected, I'll try and work with the police, whose resources are eternally stretched too thinly, and other groups to find a solution.

"Whoever is your county councillor on 7 May, these issues will not go away and will need addressing.

"Thanks for reading, and don't forget to vote - whoever you choose to support."

- Exmouth Town Councillor Joe Whibley, Independent Candidate for Devon County Council Elections in Exmouth Division

The full list of candidates for Exmouth Division can be found here on the Devon County Council website.

Editor's note

Nub News is politically impartial and does not endorse any views expressed in opinion pieces.

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