TAVISTOCK is to have two new polling stations, following a decision that the town?s pannier market will no longer be made available on election days. West Devon Borough Council has identified two new sites for use by electors in the town?s north and south wards. From now on, electors in Tavistock south will vote at the Parish Church Centre in Plymouth Road, next to the Bedford Hotel. Electors in the north ward will use Tavistock Methodist Church in Chapel Street, close to the town?s bus station. A spokesman for the borough said: ?Each venue offers excellent facilities for both electors and polling station staff and provides easy access for all, with plenty of space and some limited on-site car parking.? David Incoll, the borough?s returning officer, said he accepted that some confusion could be possible on the next polling day, as the pannier market had been used by town electors for so long. However, Mr Incoll said poll cards would clearly highlight which polling station to use and there would be extensive publicity prior to the next election, so residents knew where they should go to vote. Electors living in the south west ward of Tavistock will continue to use Whitchurch School as a polling station. The change in polling stations follows a long-running dispute between the borough and town councils over use of the pannier market. The borough favoured the market due to its central location, ease of access and space. But town councillors felt it was wrong to deprive traders of a day?s business, which frequently had a knock-on effect on the rest of the week. The council also lost money in rent from traders. After taking legal advice, members wrote to Mr Incoll to inform him the market would no longer be available on election day and asked the borough to consider using the town hall which now has disabled access, better lighting and improved safety at its entrance points. Cllr Jenny Metcalf, mayor of Tavistock, welcomed the returning officer?s decision. She said: ?Frankly, I think it?s a good old British compromise ? it?s praiseworthy that a commonsense arrangement has been reached. ?Although the town hall has everything it possibly could have now, both the church hall and the church centre have disabled access, are on the flat and have good lighting and loos, so I?m sure the new arrangements will be successful.? The next known election to be held in Tavistock will be the county council elections on May 5.
