THE concerns of local residents over a plan by West Devon Borough Council to introduce car parking charges in Hatherleigh and Chagford are shared by Okehampton police inspector Sarah Curtis.
Insp Curtis told a police liaison meeting in Whiddon Down last Wednesday she was concerned cars would be pushed out onto the streets if charges were introduced in the towns' free car parks.
The meeting was told car parking on the streets in Chagford was already a problem.
Resident Ray Pinwill said motorists had to drive on the pavements to get past parked cars in Chagford.
'People park all over the place — on the bus stop, on chevrons and they do not take any notice of signs,' he said.
Car parking charges have been deferred by the borough council while further investigation into the proposal takes place and a consultation process has been promised before any decision is made.
Insp Curtis said she shared the local residents' relief that the item had been deferred and the police would make their concerns known in the consultation process.
'We have a problem with congestion in a lot of small towns and villages, it is not just Hatherleigh and Chagford,' she said.
'If Chagford had double yellow lines it would make it easier for us to enforce but I understand the town is opposed to that.'
Despite this, police still had powers to prosecute people who were wilfully obstructing the highway, she said.
The inspector added there was more demand for the local traffic warden to be in Okehampton at the moment because of traffic problems in the town centre but he had been out to North Tawton and would be sent out to other problem areas.
'People have to remember that if the traffic warden comes out he will enforce the parking which will affect local people as well as visitors.
'Drivers have to be mindful of where they are parking and consider other road-users.
'It seems that motorists want to park as close to their destination as possible and if it causes inconvenience to others they do not seem to be unduly concerned about that.'