VISITORS have vowed not to return to Teignmouth after being booked for parking on carnival night.

Traffic wardens swooped on cars parked in side streets late in the evening, and their zealousness has been condemned by traders and councillors.

The vehicles were infringing the regulations, but critics argue they were not causing obstructions, and there were few places to park legally because roads were closed off and the town was packed.

The chairman of the Teignmouth Traders' Association, Andy Robinson, blasted the action of the Teignbridge civil enforcement officers as 'akin to the sheriff of Nottingham's henchmen gathering taxes, rather than responsible officers ensuring public safety.'

One furious visitor told the Post: 'I had my family with me, and after driving around could not find anywhere to park in the town, so had to go on the outskirts.

'We were only there a couple of hours and not blocking the road. The ticket spoiled the evening, and I won't l From page 1

be coming here again.'

The Mayor, Cllr David Cox, and other town councillors are demanding an explanation from Teignbridge Council.

'It is rather sad that on carnival night a group of wardens descended on the town. They booked people who had no choice but to park in side streets if they wanted to see the procession.

'It was almost entrapment because there was nowhere else to park,' Cllr Cox told the town council on Tuesday.

Cllr Vince Fusco fumed: 'We are trying to encourage people to come to the town, and this sort of thing leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Many have said they will not return.'

Cllr Terry Falcao also emphasised the importance of tourism to the local economy, and added: 'If they were not causing an obstruction, then a much more lenient view should have been taken. After all this was a special night.'

Cllr Dave Matthews, who is also chairman of the carnival committee, said: 'I was told the wardens came in during the afternoon to ensure the carnival route and access roads were kept clear, which was fine.

'I was also assured they would not be working in the evening. I am amazed they were still wandering around the town in the evening issuing tickets.'

Mr Robinson added: 'The wardens deliberately targeted unwary visitors caught out by road closures, rather than persistent offenders.

'It seems it is revenue, not road safety, that motivates these people. I am incensed that a joyful and well organised evening should be marred for so many by these wardens and their fine hungry management.'

'In future we will ask for these requests in writing so that all sides are clear on exactly what is expected. On this occasion we had two officers in town on Friday between 7.00pm and 9.00pm, and one for a regular patrol on Saturday. Over the two-days, 15 tickets were issued.

'While we appreciate a ticket is never welcome, we do try to take a balanced approach. We have to apply the rules evenly to all, and the best advice we can give is to always allow time to find suitable legal parking.

'It may not seem that any harm is being done, but an obstruction or congestion could be caused unintentionally.

'Of course, any ticket can be appealed against, and we would be happy to look again at individual circumstances if a motorist feels they were treated unfairly.

'Lessons have been learned on all sides, and we will work more closely with organisers in future to make sure we get the approach right,' Mr Borrett added.

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