Two important initiatives are currently being undertaken to improve the flow of traffic and the economic prosperity of the Holsworthy area.

The Local Strategic Partnership for Torridge and North Devon, chaired by Cllr Barry Parsons, is making £11,000 available for a traffic survey of Holsworthy town and negotiations are pending with Devon County Council to more than double this amount.

Problem areas will be identified, taking into

account the current traffic flow and the future developments of the agri-business park and housing as well as environmental considerations.

Thought was being given to the construction of a bypass to replace Waterloo Hill which was totally inadequate for the heavy lorries. As Holsworthy was a compact town the proposed development would make a massive difference.

Moves are also being made to highlight the significant level of deprivation in the area which, unlike just across the border in Cornwall, has not benefitted from European funding. Devon County Councillor William Mumford, cabinet member for Economic Regeneration and Strategic Planning, has set in motion an investigation of the levels of deprivation in Holsworthy and its surrounding parishes.

Cllr Parsons has met the Right Hon Jim Knight, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform as well as Euro MP Giles Chichester in a further effort to raise the profile of Torridge at the highest level.