A NEW 'reasonable' car parking enforcement policy has been agreed by West Devon Borough Council, after complaints by motorists prompted a review.

The new policy applies to all borough-owned car parks in West Devon and comes into effect immediately.

It means drivers will be allowed ten minutes' grace if they need to get change when they park their cars and five minutes at the end of the ticket expiry to leave the car park.

Mark Hall, head of commercial services, said: 'We've been getting appeals from people who said we were being a bit over-zealous. We keep records of what they have said and the councillors get feed-back from their constituents.

'We've taken it into account and the councillors have decided this is the best way forward, to protect the business side of the pay and display car parks but also be sympathetic and practical.'

A new £10 fine has also been introduced for motorists issued with a fine and subsequently producing a valid ticket — the £10 effectively a charge for not displaying a ticket while the car is parked.

Mr Hall said: 'We will probably still get people saying "I was only six minutes late". We are saying it's an hour, we're allowing you an extra five minutes, we have to draw a line somewhere.'

A panel of three council officers will consider appeals — a panel Mr Hall said would be strengthened by the new, clear guidelines set out in the enforcement policy giving a 'transparent, objective adjudication process'.

Free parking permits are also available at car parks in Tavistock and Okehampton, enabling parents to leave their cars for a short while to drop children at school — the permits are also issued to walking bus volunteers.

'We have been working closely with the schools and the councillors are very keen to encourage the walking bus,' said Mr Hall.

He said the new policy will be reviewed in a year.

West Devon was accused of 'sheer greed' by one motorist this summer, who was horrified at the £60 fine he received for being 20 minutes late returning to his car.

His reaction prompted a survey in the Times which revealed West Devon's fixed penalties are the highest in Devon and Cornwall. Only Torbay council is larger at £75, but that is reduced to just £35 if the fine is paid within five days.

West Devon's £60 fines, which are reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days, will be reviewed in budget meetings this December.