MAJOR and controversial changes to on-street parking in Tavistock ? already labelled as ?unfair? by a leading councillor ? go on show next week. Options have been put forward by the county council in response to complaints from residents and businesses about parking problems. The proposals could see residents? parking zones extended and the installation of on-street parking meters. The proposals have already come in for criticism ? West Devon councillor Roger Mathew this April compared parking meters with ?daleks? which would ?litter the streets of Tavistock? and said it was unfair to expect others to subsidise residents? parking schemes. The proposals go on display in the town hall between 11am and 8pm on Monday and Tuesday, June 5 and 6 ? questionnaires are being sent to every home in the town. Tavistock?s county councillor Roy Connelly admitted there was no easy solution: ?We have two sets of problems. One, residents living in streets close to the town centre have raised concerns about their inability to park near their homes because spaces are taken by commuters and shoppers. ?Two, local businesses are keen to see a higher turnover of parking spaces, as they believe this would encourage more people to shop in Tavistock. ?We have given a lot of consideration to the possible options. Now we want to hear what people think, both residents and business people.? Cllr Connelly insisted nothing had been decided and he urged everyone to make their views known, either at the exhibition or by returning the questionnaires. He said the county had consulted people before but feedback had not been representative. ?This time we want to hear from more people, to get a real indication of local feeling. ?I must stress introducing a residents? parking scheme will not solve existing parking problems in Tavistock. It will not increase places on the street and will not guarantee a space outside residents? homes ? or even within the parking zone. There will be a fee attached for residents too.? Cllr Connelly said the county accepted the proposals could create problems for short-term visitors due to a decrease in unrestricted parking areas. But the scheme could reduce traffic congestion, with less vehicles circulating while looking for parking spaces. And he warned residents should accept there would be some form of rationing for permits. ?Even limited at one permit per eligible household, there are still going to be more permits than on-street spaces,? he said. David Scrivener, chairman of Tavistock Chamber of Commerce, said: ?Obviously the chamber is in favour of looking at ways to improve traffic flow ? some traders have been in favour of parking meters, some are dead against it, but I would urge people to make their views known and take part in the consultation.? Possible options for the scheme include: l Residents? parking bays and some limited waiting spaces within residents? parking zone between 9am and 6pm, costing between £100-£200 per permit annually. l As above, but with on street pay and display. l Residents? parking bays within residents? parking zone operation between 10am and noon only, with some limited waiting spaces. Annual permit cost about £30. The consultation results will be reported to West Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC), which will consider if there is sufficient support for the scheme to go ahead.
