Lack of parking is root of the traffic problem

HOW wonderful to see Tavistock on local television a few days ago celebrating the coveted first prize of market town of the year.

This is just the encouragement we need for the town to boost local trading and entice more tourists, although I wonder how the prospective visitors will view our picturesque town when they discover that the root of the traffic problem mentioned by the town crier on TV is mainly due to lack of parking.

Visitors want to be able to park as near to the shops as possible and as cheaply as possible; if they cannot find that on their first trip to Tavistock they will look for a town that addresses the issue of parking and accommodates its shoppers.

Tavistock?s residents also wish to support the local shops, but despite the rise in the area?s population in recent years and the inevitable increase in vehicles, adequate car parking has not been provided.

We desperately need more parking spaces near to the town centre, especially as many of our visitors could be elderly or parents with young children. What a shame that the local council could not have received the money which was used to build the misplaced and somewhat dangerous roundabout at Brook Lane to improve our parking facilities. Perhaps then visitors and residents of Tavistock could all enjoy spending their money in a delightful and charming market town.

J A Waddle

Tremayne Rise

Tavistock