BOVEY Tracey Town Council is 'disappointed' with the Teignbridge car parking strategy. At Bovey Town Council meeting on Monday, councillors agreed that the Teignbridge plan concentrates on large towns and ignores the problems experienced in rural areas. Apart from one reference to zoned parking 'this proposed strategy does not address or contain measures to reduce the issues of congestion now being experienced in Bovey Tracey,' said town clerk Terry Westwood. Councillors were concerned that the proposed increase in car park permits would mean an increase from £170 to £455 a year to park in Bovey Tracey . 'This will further deter residents and local businesses from purchasing annual permits,' noted the council in its response to the Teignbridge proposals. The economic growth of Bovey Tracey, with the new Lloyd Maunders and the Tesco Express, due to open in April, will encourage shopping trips to the town and make it essential that traffic congestion is tackled now, councillors said. They did not support a uniform overall charging policy for parking throughout the district, saying no charges should be applied to car parks in Bovey Tracey on Sundays and bank holidays. The council deplored the congestion caused by motorists hunting for on-street parking to avoid paying the charges for the Mary Street car park, and asked Teignbridge Council to develop a residents' parking scheme. They suggested the creation of a residents/shoppers car park scheme for Mary Street, with free parking for shoppers for one or two hours, and reduced fees for residents, suggesting that this may possibly lead to increased revenue. Other suggestions were that a congestion plan should be prepared for Bovey Tracey and that peak time business deliveries in Fore Street could be restricted. The town council's response to the district council's proposed car parking strategy will be sent to Teignbridge Council.
