12:48pm Thursday 29th March 2007
By Jean Tilley
A SURVEY of residents in Crediton has revealed that 72% of people think Tesco would be an asset to the area - while 100% opposing Tesco think it would greatly affect local businesses.
The Liberal Democrats in Credtion carried out the survey of opinion and received 580 views from the public.
Town and district councillor Cllr Nation said: "The results reveal some pretty entrenched views.
"The essential difference between the two camps is that those opposed overwhelmingly believe that the development would (a) damage the High Street shops and (b) result in an unacceptable increase in traffic in Exeter Road (the A377)."
The survey asked the views of people on local business and the continuing problem with traffic and pollution along the A377.
Mr Nation said: "This survey repeats the results of our surveys in previous years. The majority of people shop in the major supermarkets nowadays and local people would like to be able to do so in Crediton, rather than have to travel to Exeter, Tiverton or Okehampton.
"We are enormously grateful to the hundreds of residents who added a wide range of additional comments which will prove very useful when the planning committee meets in Crediton on April 11 to decide this application.
"These comments show that many people distrust Tesco and believe that a store of the size proposed will need to attract customers from many miles around, thus increasing the town's traffic and air quality problems still further."
Even amongst supporters, there is a significant minority who are concerned about these adverse consequences.
However, for most people, whether the link road is built or not does not seem to influence them one way or the other.
The team who studied the surveys results said this might indicate that many people are unaware of the substantial increase in traffic - which even Tesco's own advisors predict.
Mr Nation added: "The responses illustrate the constant dilemma for local people: We need more better paid jobs in the area and we need better facilities to make our community more sustainable. But the infrastructure isn't up to it.
"I think there is also growing concern about the damage Tesco can do to small local businesses and a feeling that their trading practices are not as green' as they claim. People ask, for instance, why Tesco aren't committing themselves to shipping stock in on the Tarka Line, if they are really serious about reducing pollution."
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