John Crozier, of Redoubt Hill, Kingswear, writes:

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has decided to reduce the number of South Hams district councillors from 40 to 30.

They have launched a consultation on the changes to ward boundaries needed to produce 30 rather than 40 councillors.

Kingswear has been in a joint ward with Dartmouth for many years. This works well.

However, it is being suggested that to meet arithmetic targets – ward population per councillor – Kingswear should be in a joint ward, not with Dartmouth but with Stoke Gabriel.

Now I have nothing against the good folk of Stoke Gabriel but linking Kingswear with them makes no sense.

The Kingswear community has many links with Dartmouth and faces a lot of common issues. To list a few links: planning, ferries, buses, medical, hospital, banking, leisure facilities, tourists, sailing, fishing, marinas, regatta, joint societies, tourists, empty holiday homes, festivals... I could go on but space precludes.

There are no such links between Kingswear and Stoke Gabriel.

Further, the geography needs to be recognised.

Pedestrians pass freely between Kingswear and Dartmouth. The ferries are as good as a bridge, better for the elderly. But it is a major hike to get to Stoke Gabriel from Kingswear, taking hours of determined walking. Much too far for most of us to attempt and there is no public transport between Kingswear and Stoke Gabriel.

I ask people in Kingswear and Dartmouth who share my view, that Kingswear should stay in a ward with Dartmouth, to let the commission know via email at consultation.lgbce. org.uk or by writing to The Review Officer (S Hams), LGBCE, Layden House, 76-86 Tummill Street, London EC1M 5LG.

Please do it before June 4 when the consultation closes.