There are calls for urgent action to reduce dangerous overtaking at an accident blackspot near Newton Poppleford.

Several East Devon councillors say Devon County Council has failed to act on a decision made in July 2019 to paint double white lines along a stretch of Four Elms Hill on the A3052.

Earlier this month lines were repainted, but included stretches of broken white lines instead, indicating that overtaking with caution is allowed.

The issue was discussed at East Devon's Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) meeting on Friday, July 23.

Situation has been 'made worse, not better'

The chair of Newton Poppleford and Harpford Parish Council, Cllr Chris Burhop (Newton Popp. Ward), said: "The road was duly closed for four nights and the public were told it was going to be repainted with double white lines.

"The expectation was double white lines and what do we get? We actually get a scheme that doesn't – believe it or not – even reflect this because they've made short dashed lines with overtaking advisable instead of the long dashed lines that were there previously.

"So they've actually made the situation worse not better. And the people of Newton Poppleford are, at best, confused and at worst furious."

An accident happened on the stretch of road two days before the meeting, but exact details are not available and it is not known whether it was caused by irresponsible overtaking.

'There are accidents along the entire length of the hill'

The Vice-chair of East Devon Council, Cllr Val Ranger (Independent East Devon Alliance, Newton Poppleford and Harpford Ward), said: "There's great frustration on the part of residents, parish councillors, district councillors, Devon county councillors and me about the poor job done on Four Elms Hill.

"There are accidents along the entire length of the hill, not just certain hotspots."

Cllr Ranger suggested that Devon County Council may not know the extent of the dangers because only serious injuries or 'at fault' incidents are recorded. However, she said local police were more likely to understand the true number of accidents.

"Whatever happened to doing what matters? Why would you shut a major road and only do a half-baked job?" Cllr Ranger added.

"What is required is a proper survey of all road markings from the base of the hill including the red warning lines and the 'slow' signs which are in dire need of refreshing.

"It needs double white lines up the entire hill because all drivers understand what they mean."

'We can't wait for a further report'

During the 25-minute discussion, officers suggested a further report would be needed to consider the issues involved.

But Cllr Christine Channon (Conservative, Exmouth & Budleigh Salterton Coastal Division) said: "We can't wait for any reports of this, that and the other. This was wrong."

"They've not followed up what we recommended. And so consequently somebody needs to get down and sort it out PDQ."

Referring to the meeting in July 2019, Cllr Phillip Twiss (Conservative, Feniton & Honiton Division) said: "I am under no confusion whatsoever that I voted to support a 40 mph speed limit on that stretch of hill.

"I don't have any illusion whatsoever about what I voted for and what that meeting was voting for – as far as I recall unanimously – which was 40 mph speed limit and double white lines.

"To my mind – put simply – this is a cock-up, it's a mistake and it needs to be rectified now."

No action before a further safety audit and police consultation

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highway management and chair of East Devon HATOC, said: "The 40 mph speed limit was implemented as agreed by the HATOC committee in 2019/20, and although the new lining has been installed in accordance with the minutes of the July 2019 HATOC, unfortunately it doesn't reflect the committee's understanding of what had been agreed.

"The committee would prefer double white lines where both lines are solid, to remove overtaking manoeuvres from this section of road. A safety audit still has to be carried out on the new lining scheme and we will have to consult again with police before a 'double solid' white line system can be introduced."