Crediton Liberal Democrat Councillors call on Devon County to withdraw paid parking plans

Liberal Democrat Councillors, representing Crediton residents, have called on Devon County Council to withdraw its plan to introduce paid parking on Crediton High Street.

Devon County Council is proposing to introduce paid parking zones in 8 towns across Devon  - Braunton, Crediton, Dartmouth, Honiton, Okehampton, Salcombe, Sidmouth and Tavistock.

Despite claims by the Council that the zones will alleviate traffic issues many local residents are sceptical.

"Many residents, and business owners, have approached me expressing deep concern about these proposals," said Councillor Guy Cochran, Lawrence Ward. "It would be fair to say some of the business owners on the High Street are very worried at the impact this will have on their business."

"Parking seems currently to work well on the High Street," commented Councillor Jim Cairney, Boniface Ward. "It is difficult to see what benefits will derive from the changes. In Scotland we have a saying 'if it ain't broke don't fix it!."

"It is my plan to present a petition to Devon County Council calling on them to withdraw this flawed plan," explained Devon County Councillor, and Chair of Mid Devon Council, Frank Letch. "We already have the support of Crediton Town Council, and I know that other towns similarly effected by these proposal are also alarmed. I'd urge local residents to sign our petition."

"As a central Devon resident, I use both Crediton and Okehampton high streets on a regular basis. Both for short-term parking (for example getting a haircut in Crediton) and long-term parking (such as visiting the cinema in Okehampton). A combination of short-term free parking and longer-term paid parking in both towns covers all of my needs," commented Mark Wooding, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Central Devon. "Here’s the thing I’ve never encountered any of the issues these proposed paid parking zones are designed to ‘fix’.

"It may just be that central Devon is home to a huge number of sceptics, but I’m with those residents who suspect that Conservative controlled Devon County’s plan is more to do with fund raising than traffic control. It really is a solution looking for a problem, unless of course the problem is really years of cuts to Devon County’s budgets from central Government. Cuts by a Conservative Government that Devon’s Conservative councillors did not speak against."

You can find out more about Devon County's plans here.

Please sign the petition against the plans below.