NEW parking restrictions in Tavistock town centre come into force today (Thursday) ? and police are warning they will take a hard line with anyone flouting the law.

It means the proliferation of cars and vans which have been using Bedford Square as an unofficial car park will risk receiving fixed penalty tickets from now on, if they leave their vehicles on the paved area in front of the town hall.

Signs displaying the regulations are being erected by council staff today.

MPC Nigel Bishop, police traffic management and road safety officer for West Devon, said: ?Until now, the traffic warden has been more or less powerless to control the vehicles parked on the paved area.

?From today, that will change. Vehicles on the square will be the exception rather than the rule, with very few permits being allowed.

?It has to be this way because, as we all know, give an inch and a yard will be taken.?

MPC Bishop said Bedford Square had been a ?significant problem? for some time.

?There is a serious safety issue when vehicles move around or park in a large, pedestrianised area,? said MPC Bishop.

He and Tavistock traffic warden Dave Chapple have been working closely with council partners over the introduction of the new rules.

MPC Bishop said Mr Chapple had also visited market traders and any other people likely to be affected.

He said: ?I believe we have delivered a clear message. This is the will of the majority and it will be rigorously enforced.?

Mr Chapple said: ?I am no stranger to early morning starts, so don?t be surprised to see me enforcing the restrictions from very early on.

?I have had hundreds of complaints from members of the public over the years. I have been frustrated I could do nothing to improve things.

?On some days there have been a dozen or more cars there ? I think the whole

community will notice a change for the better.?

The new rules have been introduced by Devon County Council. They followed a period of public consulation in which a small number of responses were received. All but one were in favour on the proposal.

Paul Marshall, senior traffic engineer with Devon County Council, said: ?The parking and driving of so many

vehicles on and off Bedford Square is dangerous for pedestrians walking on the paved area.

?It also detracts from the amenity of the area, for which the paved construction was specifically designed to enhance and preserve.?

Mr Marshall said vehicles with a special permit displayed on the windscreen would still be able to use Bedford Square. However, these permits would only be issued to a driver whose vehicle formed an essential part of a community event and would be very limited in number. For example, the charter market traders who sell produce on the square on a Friday will be issued with a permit.

Cllr Roy Connelly, Tavistock?s county member, said: ?The introduction of this traffic order will return Bedford Square to the purpose for which it was constructed ? and encourage schools and other community groups to maximise its use through events that will be to the benefit of all the community.?

Town clerk Roger Howard said the council has been inundated with complaints from members of the public, irritated by the number of cars parked in Bedford Square.

?Every day we have somebody come in,? said Col Howard.

The new traffic orders will not affect use of Bedford Square for specific events like Goose Fair or the Steam Fair.