THE installation of parking meters in Tavistock town centre by Devon County Council was this week slammed as 'appalling' — and has sparked a call for a public meeting.

The county's executive cabinet has already decided that on-street pay and display should be implemented 'as soon as possible' — following a consultation exercise which began this week.

But the consultation, and the policy, has been met with fury by the town council and chamber of commerce.

Tavistock mayor Cllr David Whitcomb said: 'This so-called cabinet has just rail-roaded this through without any consultation with my council, and I find it absolutely appalling.

'The electorate also has a part to play in this — they must be allowed to say what they feel, not just some committee in Exeter deciding X, Y and Z without asking local people first.

'It's very disheartening. It will look absolutely appalling and you and I know it's being done for one reason and one reason only — to raise money.

'This is a very sad business — they are killing the centre of the town — people will park in Morrisons and do their shopping and they won't come into the town centre because of the fees.'

Cllr Whitcomb said he intended to propose a public meeting regarding the issue when the full council meets next Tuesday. The public meeting would be held in the town hall, hopefully during the first week of December.

Cllr Anne Johnson, during this week's meeting of the town's finance committee, said: 'The people in this town have made it very clear that they don't want parking meters. Their feelings are going to be totally ignored, and I think that's a great shame.'

Cllr Ashley Tossell said: 'This is being forced upon us and it's because of this sort of thing that I actually joined the council — everyone that has spoken to me about it says they don't want parking meters.

'They are going to be an eyesore — this is a lovely town and to have these horrible meters stuck all over the place is totally out of keeping.

Nigel Eadie, chairman Tavistock Chamber of Commerce, slammed the policy as 'a masquerade' and the consultation 'a token gesture'.

Mr Eadie said if the county was so concerned about protecting the vitality of town centres through traffic management, it would have made sense to ask chambers and business associations for their ideas first.

He said: 'I would say traffic management in Tavistock is now actually working better than it has worked for a very long time.

'We are learning, through the BID process, that keeping town centre car parking free, or as low as possible, is the way to protect the vitality of town centre businesses.

'This is diametrically opposed to what has been proven to work elsewhere, like in Dorchester.

'It's a complete masquerade, in terms of business rationale.

'It's not a real consultation, it's being rushed through, as a means of getting extra cash from local people, and I think it will discourage people from coming into town.'

The proposed pay and display scheme would apply to Bedford Square, Brook Street, Duke Street, Elbow Lane, Plymouth Road, Russell Street and West Street. Parking would be limited to an hour, at a charge of 60p, or free for 30 minutes. The restrictions would be applicable Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.

A county council spokesman said: 'The correct democratic process is being followed as the introduction of pay and display was agreed by Devon County Council's cabinet and proposals are being advertised in line with legal regulations.

'In communities where schemes are being put forward, local county council members and town councils have been consulted, ahead of the proposals being advertised.

Objections or comments should be made to the County Solicitor, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QD, quoting ref IMR/B04005 or by email to http://www.devon.gov.uk/traffic-orders">www.devon.gov.uk/traffic-orders to arrive no later than Thursday,

December 9.