Pay and display plans axed

Controversial proposals to introduce pay and display parking in eight Devon towns have been withdrawn

There has been huge opposition to the plans which would have seen charges being imposed after an initial free parking period in Braunton, Crediton, Dartmouth, Honiton, Okehampton, Salcombe, Sidmouth and Tavistock.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet today accepted a report on the proposals which recommended withdrawing them.

In the report,  Devon’s Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport, Meg Booth, said:  “There has been significant objection to the principle of new pay and display across all communities and to implement the schemes as advertised would not be listening to the concerns of the communities.  

“However, within the comments received, there is evidence of parking problems within the communities and if and when communities identify potential solutions, these could be considered at a future date.”

Councillors heard that a total of 5,323 representations were received with over half from Tavistock alone. In each case, the vast majority were opposed to pay and display.

Over half the representations were concerned about the impact on the High Street and to businesses with over a fifth maintaining that the existing restrictions were effective.

In addition a petition of over 3,000 signatures was received from Dartmouth Against Metered Parking and another petition was received from Crediton.

The report made it clear that the introduction of pay and display was not designed to create an income but to influence travel and parking choices.

It concluded: “Significant objections have been received to the proposals that were advertised and therefore the recommendation is the proposals are not progressed.”