A PROPOSED parking initiative in Princetown has been met with high praise by businesses and residents. Currently vehicles can legally park outside the shops on Tavistock Road for an unlimited period, which sees some visitors leave their cars all day while they go walking or cycling on the moor. Through an initiative led by Dartmoor Forest Parish Council and aided by the Dartmoor National Park Authority and Devon County councillor Philip Sanders, agreement has been reached on the way forward for new parking restrictions. Parish clerk Nigel Tigwell said: 'The problem has been recognised by the parish council, businesses and residents since 2011 but it has been difficult to get Princetown's problems noticed when more significant traffic and parking problems exist elsewhere. 'The position has become worse since the national park began compulsory charging for parking behind the High Moorland Visitor's Centre last August.' The proposal will see white parking bays marked out on Tavistock Road in which parking will be limited to 30 minutes with no return for two hours in front of the shops. The redundant taxi rank established for the former pony and trap 'taxi' will be removed and the space included in the bay parking area. Double yellow lines will also be extended past the primary school entrance in Bellever Close to improve road safety for the children. The parking scheme is hoped to be in place in around four months, but first it has to be advertised, there will be a public consultation and the legal documentation has to be approved. Cllr Sanders said: 'I have been working closely with the parish council and Devon County Council and the national park to improve the situation for the businesses in the centre of Princetown. 'We have developed a scheme to introduce some parking bays and we hope this will go some way to solving the problem. 'There is never one simple answer to these issues but I hope this will improve it substantially.'