LAND on which any new bridge that may be constructed in Tavistock's Meadows area should remain the property of the town council, members stressed at a meeting last week.

The ironbridge over the River Tavy is due to be replaced within the next two years — but West Devon Borough Council is also considering a bridge to connect Bedford car park and the Riverside car park.

Members of the town's properties committee heard that if two bridges were built at the same time, economies of scale could mean construction costs could be lower.

But Cllr Betty Batchelor warned the town should retain ownership of land on which a new bridge could be built.

She said the council had suffered in the past when ownership of areas had passed on and a proper rent should be charged for the land.

And Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'I agree we do need to retain ownership of the land — and a peppercorn rent would legally establish that.

'It's early days, there are ongoing consultations, but certainly the principle of a second bridge I have no problems with.'

Cllr Brian Trew said the council was in a 'win, win situation' — a second bridge for Tavistock which the town council did not have to buy and for which it could charge a small rental.

But Cllr Mandy Govier warned the council should not consider charging 'a fortune' just for the land on which the bridge stanchions were placed.

'If we don't charge a peppercorn rent, they would put up the fees for car parking. We want people to use Riverside car park — if they are going to pay for the bridge, why do we need to charge more than a peppercorn rent?' she asked.

David Inman, deputy chief executive at the borough, said the borough was interested in pursuing the idea of a bridge between the car parks and would be happy to talk to the town council about it.

'The first thing to do would be to see where the two councils could form a joint agenda on this type of issue.'

Mr Inman said the bridge idea was still only a concept and as yet, no finances were available to take the idea forward.