HUGE fee increases proposed in West Devon car parks were this week scrapped following a massive public outcry. It had been proposed to hike up hourly fees to £1 in borough car parks. But the council?s economic, leisure and community development committee on Tuesday performed a U-turn, agreeing the hourly charge should rise by just 5p. The decision sparked a glum warning about future service provision from the borough?s treasurer. The decisions were taken following a public consultation in which 100% of consultees objected to the rises. There was also an impassioned plea to the full council from the leader of one of Tavistock?s most prominent community groups last week. John Taylor, chairman of Tavistock Forward, said increasing the hourly fee to £1 would be ?disastrous? for the Tavistock area. He said a 150% increase in the hourly parking fee and 333% increase in the season ticket rate during the last four years was ?simply not sustainable? and made borough-council car parks more expensive than Plymouth, Exeter or Launceston. When both Plymouth and Exeter were being extensively redeveloped in coming years, the policy did nothing to attract customers to Tavistock, he said. Mr Taylor said: ?There is clearly something wrong with this council as it regards what should be an essential service as a tax on those who live and work in the area. ?Last year there was a petiton of 1,600 signatures which was totally ignored. That is a sixth of the population! ?What your authority calls a consultation exercise is now regarded as a farce by the community, who feel there is no point writing to your council as the matter has already been predetermined with the council tax set for the coming year.? Mr Taylor said his plea was a ?last-ditch attempt? to get the council to throw out its ?unreasonable, unworkable? proposals. At Tuesday?s meeting, Cllr Ted Sherrell said while recognising the council?s serious financial difficulties, the ?massive hike? in fees had proved very emotive. He agreed season ticket holders should be encouraged to use Riverside car park in Tavistock and suggested scrapping a waiting list for such tickets. He also suggested part of the borough council car park at Kilworthy Hill could be used for season ticket holders. Cllr Alison Clish-Green said £650 for a season ticket was ?astronomical? and an ?unbelievable? sum to ask people to pay. Cllr Dick Eberlie insisted the council?s public consultation was being taken very seriously: ?The results show there is considerable representation, worry and concern about our proposals. ?It was a real consultation and we are looking at it realistically.? The committee agreed the hourly parking fee would rise to 85p an hour from August 1, apart Riverside car park in Tavistock and Mill Road car park in Okehampton, where charges will be 85p for two hours and £1.60 for all day. Season tickets in Tavistock?s Bedford, Abbey and Wharf car parks will rise to £400, with £195 being agreed for Riverside and Mill Road car parks. Season ticket holders in Chagford and Hatherleigh will be charged £155. A Smart Card system enabling discounts to regular car park users will continue to be investigated, plus the feasibility of pay-on exit systems. Chambers of commerce will be consulted and a joint working party will investigate methods of increasing car park spaces, park and ride and other transport systems. The decisions will have to be ratified by a future meeting of the full council. After the meeting, borough treasurer Lesley Halton warned: ?This leaves the council in a seriously worrying financial position. ?We must find around £100,000 to fill a hole in the council?s budget. Clearly, services will have to be cut.?
