THE use of Tavistock?s Bedford Square for community events is to go under the spotlight at a meeting to be held in the New Year. The square bookings are handled by the town council ? but technically the paved area in front of the town hall is part of the highway, and owned by Devon County Council. The area is now regularly used by events such as the farmers? market and by market traders ? but because it is covered by traffic orders, vehicles can cause problems. Town clerk Roger Howard at last week?s meeting of the council?s finance committee said he had been approached by the chief executive of West Devon Borough Council, David Incoll, regarding use of the square. Col Howard said: ?They are concerned about the increasing number of requests they receive for Bedford Car Park. ?Apparently, the Robey Trust has also asked to use it, as well as Tavistock Food Festival, and they feel all these things could be better put on Bedford Square.? Col Howard said the borough was under the impression that the county council would consider relaxing regulations regarding wheeled vehicles on the square ? although that was not his understanding of the matter from the county?s local service officer Brian George. ?He is still very concerned about vehicles moving on and off the square and the safety of the public,? he said. Cllr Alison Clish-Green said: ?I think the whole point of the square is that it is a vibrant centre. But I also sympathise with the borough, if it?s not being used because of one vehicle movement on and off it. ?I think we should instigate a meeting between the clerk, Mr Incoll, Mr George and if appropriate, our county councillor. We don?t want the square to be a museum piece ? we want it used but we don?t want it used as a car park. I think some sort of compromise should be reached.? Cllr Iain Andrews said: ?I have always wanted to see the square as a centre of community events ? I think we need to look into the actual wording of the agreement, to make it much easier for our officers to decide what should and should not be on there.? Cllr Norma Woodcock said the present regulations regarding Bedford Square were ?extraordinarily restrictive?, despite a lot of hard work by Tavistock?s county councillor Roy Connelly to reach an acceptable agreement. ?I think we should try and take on board Mr Incoll?s support and try and get more flexible use of the square ? it should be the centre of activities in the town,? she said, adding that the rules caused confusion for council staff like the market reeve. ?For instance, the French market ? some stalls were wheeled vehicles and technically not allowed on the square, which quite frankly is absolute nonsense. It?s these things we need sorting out,? she said. But Cllr Peter Jones was in favour of keeping the status quo regarding the regulations ?The last thing I want to see is it being used as a car showroom,? he said. The committee agreed a meeting should be set up between the interested parties in an attempt to resolve a way forward.
