Axmouth is an ancient village, lined by quaint cottages, fine house from the 15th and 17th century and other listed buildings, including the Grade 1 listed St Michaels Church, strongly linked with St Peter & St Paul in Uplyme.

Regeneration of Seaton, forces great challenges on Axmouth from traffic both during, and after development works are completed. The die was set in September 2009, when EDDC approved the planning application for the store, two months before I was elected to represent us.

Sadly, this approval of a project designed to secure the Economic Regeneration of Seaton, was not supported by an infrastructure plan to take account of the effects of regeneration.

The Environment Agency requires the level of the massive site be lifted by almost two metres. This needs a massive 300,000m3 of material, brought to the site either by sea through a pipeline, or road through the poor road system of the lower Axe Estuary.

40% or 6,000 HGV loads were originally approved to be delivered by road through Axmouth….40 HGV per day, six days a week, for over six months….

Since election, in late 2009, I have been fighting for the protection of Axmouth, alongside Axmouth Parish Council. We have had some notable successes;

In August 2010, I was able to inform Axmouth residents, that the road borne fill amount had been progressively reduced to zero – 6,000 HGV movements avoided.

By September 2010, we had persuaded EDDC Planners that Axmouth needed to be properly protected. The Planning Approval for the Pipeline Operation included, Condition 17 which states;

"..... all construction traffic and any other vehicles associated with the construction of, and dismantling of, the pipeline and associated structures, fittings or fixtures, shall be routed by the applicant Company and/or its Consultants and Contractors so as not to approach or leave the development site by the village of Axmouth.
(Reason - So as to protect the environment and historic village of Axmouth and safety of its residents)..."

A major relief to all Axmouth residents and visitors.

We are now working towards our key objective of providing the long term protection required for Axmouth, its residents, visitors and irreplaceable historic listed buildings and iconic village environment, as part of a strategic road infrastructure to serve the future of the lower Axe Estuary which shares the burden of the large increase in traffic which is coming to the area …