I CANNOT believe that Devon County Council is even contemplating the installation of parking meters in a historic town like Tavistock. This, and the idea of charging residents up to £200 a year for a parking permit for a space they may or may not get is nothing to do with easing the parking problem and all about squeezing more money out of motorists who live and come to shop in the town. We already have the ridiculous situation where it is cheaper to park in Plymouth or Newton Abbot, even more so since the latest hike to 90p an hour just to help West Devon Borough Council to overcome its now annual shortfall. As most people come in to do their shopping why not alter the meters in all the car parks to a half hour at 20p, one hour at 50p, but two hours at £1.50 or £2 and three hours at £3? This would surely encourage a quick turnover of people and cars. If you have street meters then a full time warden has to be employed to monitor them and presumably someone else to empty them. Once some have been installed it?s a fairly safe bet that sooner or later they will be spread to all parts of Tavistock ? do we really want the street of this wonderful market town to look like Central London? Paul Mercer Ivy Cottage Peter Tavy
