THE LATEST suggestion for a much-needed coach park in Okehampton has provoked a petition from local residents.

Okehampton Town Council has decided to write to West Devon Borough Council suggesting a vacant site behind Okehampton Fire Station be used as a temporary measure.

But local residents claim it would cause traffic chaos and a danger to young children.

The borough council has agreed to spend £12,000 on a feasibility study into siting the coach park behind Brayhams Terrace.

But the town council feels the alternative site is larger, development costs would be smaller and it is closer to the town centre.

An article appeared in the Times last week about using the piece of land owned by the borough council between the north end of Wonnacotts Road and the south end of North Road. Local residents decided to launch a petition against it.

Barry Midgley, who started the petition said he was ?horrified? by the suggestion made by town councillor Charles Letchford.

?It has been suggested as a temporary measure but I can see, once allowed, it would become permanent and the residents of Wonnacotts and North Road will see an increase in traffic and noise,? he said.

?It is hard for young children to find anywhere to play safely and in sight of their parents, without the threat of more traffic coming into the road.?

He said the piece of ground would be better used as a play area for young children.

Wonnacotts Road residents were already seeing a lot more cars in the area due to a lack of parking in the town, he added.

?If the councillors, in their wisdom, choose the private road beside the fire station as the entrance to the car park, it will make residents? lives hell in North Road,? said Mr Midgley.

?Whatever way, it will cause traffic chaos and a danger to young children.?

Okehampton fire station officer Ian Donovan said he would be against any proposal if it impacted on the level of traffic in North Road.

?The last thing we would want is any blockage of buses up and down that road ? if it is anything like the school runs it would be a nightmare,? he said.