AFTER the successful pilot of a £2 a day parking scheme in Tavistock, councillors at West Devon’s Hub Committee agreed that the proposal for a permanent £2 tariff should now go forward to full council for approval.

At the request of the West Devon Car Parking Strategy Group, the £2 a day parking tariff was brought in last spring for a 12 month pilot in all the borough council’s car parks. The group introduced the scheme in response to requests from Tavistock and Okehampton businesses who were keen to encourage more footfall in the towns.

The new £2 a day ticket takes the pressure off visitors who would otherwise leave the shops and town centres quickly due to a lack of parking time. With the new tariff in place, visitors will be encouraged to stay in town centres for longer, browsing in the local shops and businesses.

The pilot has largely seen positive results for West Devon businesses, visitors and residents, with feedback from Tavistock BID and Okehampton Chamber of Trade indicating that this has been the case.

Cllr Robert Sampson, lead member for commercial services and contracts, said: ‘With the support of local businesses, the pilot has been seen as a great success. At the hub committee, we agreed that there were many positive outcomes from the pilot, listening to residents from Tavistock and Okehampton, we have resolved that the proposal should go forward to full council but with more signage put up to advertise the car parks and tariff.   

‘The key outcome from the pilot is the success it has brought for our local economy. An increase in visitors and residents using our car parks and staying for longer has led to more people browsing and buying in our local shops, leading to positive results for our local businesses.’

Neal Taynton-Young, chairman of Tavistock and District Chamber of Commerce, said: ‘The parking suits the aspirations of the town as a whole. We now have the option for £2 per day parking or short stay, on-street parking which should hopefully be a good balance.

‘This has been well received on a whole and if the council want to run with that then they clearly feel it’s a worthwhile venture.

‘I think anything that brings people into the town is positive.’

The proposal is due to be ratified at the next meeting of the full council.