CAR parking times in Brunswick Place, Dawlish, could be extended beyond the current half-hour limit if new proposals are accepted.

Members of Dawlish chamber of trade want the allowed waiting time in the parking lots lengthened to at least an hour to boost business.

The move comes after retailers in Brunswick Place complained of a drop in trade after tighter parking regulations were introduced.

Geoff Wills, secretary of Dawlish chamber of trade, said something needed to be done about traffic management in the town.

He said: 'The traffic flow is getting stuck because the town's roads are too narrow and parking is interfering.

'That's partly why we have made these proposals.

'The further away people park from the shops the longer they need to park.

'Business has declined for some retailers in Dawlish because of the parking problems.

'For instance Barton Hill car park is in the wrong place, it's too far away.

'And there needs to be more seaside parking made available for longer times and cheaper rates.

'Bus fares in from Dawlish Warren should be reduced too.

'Because at the moment it's cheaper for a family of four to get a taxi than catch a bus to Dawlish.'

Other proposals made by the chamber include creating a multi-storey car park in the town and the introduction of a park and ride service in the town.

Andrew Butler, Devon county traffic and town centre manager, who was at the meeting, said the proposals would be looked at and taken on board.

But Mr Wills said action was needed, adding: 'Traffic congestion is here to stay.

'It's just a matter of coming up with ways to manage it and ease its flow through the town.'

Dawlish councillor John Clatworthy supported the chamber's aims.

He said: 'By 2010 the number of cars on the road is set to increase by 25 per cent. Where are all the cars going to go?

'We could have the town over run by cars.

'But extending the car parking times in parts of the town is worth looking at.

'And we could do with more signs that point the way to the town's car parks too.

'But better management of traffic does make sense. so I am broadly in support of these aims.'