THE street parking management introduced last year in Chagford is working says the county council ? although there are still concerns over parking at Crossways Cross. At a meeting of West Devon highways and traffic committee (HATOC) in Tavistock on Friday, members agreed that no alteration should be made to the scheme and the parking at Crossways Cross should continue to be monitored over the next 12 months. There were concerns expressed by Chagford parish council that there was a danger arising from the introduction of a parking bay near Crossways Cross junction. It was claimed it was difficult to see vehicles travelling from the Rushford Bridge direction if cars were parked in the bay and it should be removed. Five residents had also written to the county council supporting the parish council?s request. Brian George, the county?s local service officer, told the committee that since December 2005 when the scheme was introduced, there had been no reported collisions resulting in personal injury or damage near or at Crossways Cross. A local employer told the council that the parking bay was very useful for his business and he did not want to see it removed. Mr George said: ?The removal of parking near Crossways Cross will undoubtedly remove any partial obstruction to visibility at the side road junction. However, it could increase traffic speed along Lower Street in proximity to the primary school where the county council is committed to construct an extended pathway to improve the safety of vulnerable child pedestrians.? This was backed by county and borough councillor James McInnes, who said: ?I accept the recommendations. When the footway is put in by the school there will be a reduction of speed in Chagford.? The police said that street parking in the town was now easier to control and they had enforced the scheme. Street parking was now reasonably self-enforced and obstructions of the town?s roads were no longer a problem.
