Metered parking will be a 'disaster' for town

Devon County Council wants to introduce metered parking in Dartmouth

A petition against the introduction of metered parking in a Devon harbour town has been presented to the county council.

The authority is asking for feedback on plans to introduce pay and display parking in Dartmouth and seven other towns.

But Dartmouth residents said the proposal would be a "disaster" for businesses and a petition against the plan collected more than 3,000 signatures.

Devon County Council said the introduction of metered parking would encourage higher turnover of parking spaces.

A petition against the plan collected more than 3,000 signatures

Teddy Cranmer, from Darmouth Against Metered Parking, said the town was "overwhelmingly" opposed to the plan.

"It will kill the town," he said.

"We only have one car park. Where will locals park? Where will shopkeepers park during the working day?

"It will be a disaster and we cannot allow it to happen."

Councillor Jonathan Hawkins, who represents Dartmouth and Marldon, said metered parking would deter shoppers.

"I think they will be badly put off and go to the out of town shopping centres," he said.

Campaigner Teddy Cranmer said Dartmouth was "overwhelmingly" against the plan

'Reduces congestion'

The county council said it was consulting on bringing in metered parking in Braunton, Crediton, Dartmouth, Honiton, Okehampton, Salcombe, Sidmouth and Tavistock to bring the towns "into line with Devon’s other larger communities".

Councillor Robert Hughes, cabinet member for highway management, said metered parking has been in place elsewhere in Devon for years.

"We believe it is one of the components that is needed to ensure a healthy high street and community," he said.

“It encourages turnover of parking spaces thereby increasing the availability of town centre parking in busy areas and it reduces congestion.”