CONTROVERSIAL parking restrictions at a busy residential area in Tavistock are soon to be discussed in further detail by town councillors.

A traffic order was advertised last year by the Highways and Transport Orders Committee (HATOC) for double yellow lines to be placed on one side of Grenville Drive, Tavistock after it had received requests from a number of organisations, including the fire service, that they struggled to gain access to the estate off Plymouth Road.

Councillors from the town council’s development management and licensing committee discussed the order in October and decided to ‘object’ to the proposal on a few grounds, including one that it could displace parking issues further up into Grenville Drive.

But, following a site visit on January 8, which saw councillors from Tavistock, West Devon and Devon county attend along with members of HATOC, it was thought best to refer the issue back to the town council’s development management and licensing committee on January 23.

Chairman of the committee and deputy mayor Cllr Paul Ward said the proposal to paint double yellow lines on the left hand side of Grenville Drive from its junction with Plymouth Road to the first junction on the left was subject to a site visit from HATOC and local councillors.

He said: ‘It was clear [at the site visit] that motions were running high with two camps — the residents of Grenville Drive in favour of double yellow lines as access to their properties were made difficult by parking along that stretch of their road and then the other camp of residents from Westbridge Cottages who struggle to find parking as their properties do not have parking.

‘It was made clear by the chairman of HATOC that they will not impose a decision but will receive guidance from town council, in collaboration with borough councillors and Devon county.

‘It seems appropriate that this issue comes back to the development management and licensing committee for further consideration and then goes to full council for further discussion and ratification.’

Tavistock mayor Phillip Sanders added that the traffic order was advertised by HATOC at the request of a number of organisations and people, which ‘proved controversial’.

‘The traffic order proved controversial — we agreed there would be a site visit to understand what the problems were. It is clear that there are two diametrically opposed views and the only sensible way forward for HATOC to make a decision is to seek the views of those people who represent the local residents— that is Devon County Council and borough council and town councillors, — and for this council to collect and collate those views and pass view to HATOC who will then make a decision on those views.’

Councillors were told at the meeting that the fire service had found difficulty at times accessing Grenville Drive because of vehicles parking on both sides of the road. It was reported that there were 84 houses in Westbridge Cottages with only 14 parking spaces and residents needed to have access to park on Grenville Drive.

The issue is going to be discussed on Tuesday, January 23 at 6.15pm at Tavistock Town Council Chamber on Drake Road. This is a public meeting and anyone is welcome to attend. The agenda for the meeting will be posted in the lobby of the council officers and on the council’s website.