I HAVE to say that I am in total agreement with the opinions expressed in last week?s paper by John Taylor and Dave McDowall over the proposed extortionate increases in the cost of parking in Tavistock. How can a nearly 3-fold increase in season ticket prices and a 25% increase in the hourly charge be justified? If I can appreciate the effect that this will have on the visitors to this town and the local traders, why cannot the council? If these increases are approved, I would be surprised if we retained our Best Market Town status next year. There is also another knock on effect that these charges will have, and that is that more and more cars will be looking for free side street parking increasing the congestion already seen in roads such as Ford Street, Watts Road, Glanville Road and even the lower part of Down Road. All these roads have effectively become one way during working hours as it is now impossible for two cars to pass each other. I have already seen head to head confrontations resulting in one of the cars having to mount the pavement and evidence of damage done to parked vehicles. Please councillors, think seriously about what you are doing to this town before you make your final decision and I strongly recommend that anyone else who is opposed to these increases should express their opinion in writing to Mrs C Aubertin, the Facilities Contracts Manager at West Devon Borough Council. Steve Grummitt Courtenay Road Tavistock
