TRAFFIC in Tavistock's Bedford Square is to be videoed by the monitoring group — but it is unlikely to bring any changes to the system in the short term.
The group wants to test how the flow of traffic has changed since the new scheme was introduced last year and to determine whether it has made things better or worse.
Traffic has been reduced from two lanes to one on each side of the square. The roundabout in front of the banks is said by some to have caused road blockages.
But Ian Taylor, who represents the chamber of commerce on the monitoring group, said: 'It is most unlikely that the authorities will make further changes as a result of the new video.
'It is not our purpose to seek a review of the system. If we find that it is having a detrimental effect, we will pass that information on to the authorities.'
He said there was a wide range of opinions about the system, mostly based on anecdotes, but it was important to have firmer evidence.
Ken Sanders, a Tavistock Town Council representative on the group, thought the biggest problem was illegal parking in Brook Street. This prevented delivery lorries from getting into loading bays. If this was confirmed by the video, it might be necessary for the traffic warden and police to concentrate more on stopping the illegal parking in that area, he said.
Devon County Council made a video recording of the square in September 1998, which led to the re-design. The county council will provide the equipment for the follow-up recording, to be made over 24 hours in November. The group will then make a comparison and submit its comments. This is expected to be done early in the new year.
The monitoring group is made up of representatives of the chamber of commerce, Tavistock Access Group, the civic society, taxi proprietors, the businessmen's association and the town, West Devon and Devon County councils.