Teignmouth councillors and traders have hit out at Devon County Council’s plans to hike car parking charges in Teignmouth. The Conservative County Council plans to increase on-street car parking charges by 10 per cent.
But it is not just the increase that has angered traders and councillors – they have learnt that in the towns where charges are yet to be introduced, the first half-hour will be free – immediately putting businesses in Teignmouth and Dawlish at a disadvantage. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat-led Teignbridge is freezing its charges from April, to help local traders and residents.
Donald Baldey, chairman of Teignmouth Town Council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee, told the PRSD: “We are trying everything we can to encourage people to come here, Teignbridge is freezing car parking to help, but this is being undermined by these proposed increases. But what makes me really angry that Teignmouth isn’t being treated fairly compared to other towns in the South Hams and East Devon.”
Councillors are organising a petition, which will be available in shops
Chris Bray, the former county councillor for Teignmouth, said: “Proposals for large increases were regularly brought forward during my time as a councillor. Each time this happened, I successfully persuaded colleagues to either reduce the increase, or ensure there was none at all.
“With everyone feeling the pinch and Teignbridge freezing their charges, this is not the time for the county council to be raising them.”
(For some reason we feel it behoven to point out that whereas Teignbride is a Lib Dem run council, both East Devon and the South Hams are Conservative District Councils)
(from a press release)
(image: Parking Meter Some rights reserved by WestPresent)
