THE installation of parking meters in Tavistock town centre would be 'absolutely disastrous', a prominent local resident this week claimed.

Councillor Philip Sanders, a town, borough and county councillor who is also chairman of the district's planning committee, last week told a meeting in Tavistock that he was becoming 'increasingly concerned' about the issue.

Speaking during a meeting of the town council's finance committee, Cllr Sanders said; 'We are drifting closer and closer towards "pay and display" on the streets of Tavistock, by default.

'I know that at county level, it has been built into their budget as a means to try and recover costs.

'I personally think parking meters in Tavistock would be absolutely disastrous. I think it's bad news for business and bad news for the look of the town.'

Cllr Sanders said meters were often suggested as a means of discouraging shoppers from overstaying their time in parking places. This problem should be addressed by efficient enforcement, not by the installation of parking meters, he said.

'There are suggestions that it's been successful in Totnes, but it's not as successful as some people would have you believe.

'There is going to be terrific pressure on us from county level and I just think we need to be very clear on our policy as a council,' said Cllr Sanders.

The idea of parking meters has been the subject of a recent survey by Tavistock Chamber of Commerce. Of those who responded, 73% were in favour of the bid.

Cllr Anne Johnson said parking in Tavistock was a subject that needed very careful investigation.

'The chamber has a voice but we must remember what the residents want. If people have to pay for parking they will end up going to the supermarkets instead,' she said.

Cllr Brian Trew said the key to any parking problems was effective enforcement.

'The only purpose of parking meters is revenue,' he said. 'They are milking the people of Tavistock again, as if we are not being milked enough — I think we should totally oppose them. They would also look ghastly in the town.'

The full council this week agreed to oppose the placing of parking meters in Tavistock town centre.

Parking meters were also discussed during a recent meeting of the Tavistock Parking Focus Group.

Brian George, a highways officer with Devon County Council, outlined what the county saw as the benefits of meters, such as a higher turnover of vehicles parking on-street, more effective and efficient enforcement and reduced-cost parking permits for residents.

The county estimate the cost of installing on-street pay and display meters in Tavistock would be approximately £70,000. The issue of parking meters was deferred to full council for a decision on a policy about their installation in the town centre.

The next meeting of the Tavistock Parking Focus Group takes place on Monday, September 28.