A TAVISTOCK man says he is 'disgusted' at the attitude of police when dealing with parking on Goose Fair day.
Graeme Barclay, who lives in Dolvin Road, brought his wife home from hospital the evening before Goose Fair last week, after she had given birth to their third child.
But the following day the road was lined with no waiting cones and the police would not allow the midwife to park and visit Mrs Barclay.
The community midwife said although the purpose of her business was obvious, the policeman would not allow her to stop and suggested she use the park-and-ride scheme.
She said she found it 'worrying' that commercialism was put before people's health and thought the police should be more flexible in their attitude.
Mr Barclay said: 'Dolvin Road was completely deserted at the time, the midwife explained the purpose of her visit, but the traffic police would not accept she had a valid reason for visiting.
'I am disgusted that the monitoring of my wife and newborn baby was prevented by a policeman with no understanding of medical matters.
'Midwives and doctors need their vehicles because they are on call and have equipment to carry,' he said.
Mr Barclay said 'at very least' these professionals should be given priority passes which override the authority of 'jobs-worth traffic police'.
Inspector Nick Rogers, of Tavistock Police, said: 'My view is that professional people, certainly the caring agencies, should be treated sympathetically and with discretion and if this has not happened then I would urge them to write to me.'
Insp Rogers said officers are drafted in from outside the area to police the town on Goose Fair day, but he expected all officers to be fair when dealing with the additional parking restrictions during the day.
Baby Upha, named for her great-great grandfather who owned a ship of the same name, weighed in at 8lb 9oz — mother and baby are doing well.