WITH regard to the West Devon Car Parking Strategy Group meeting reported in last week’s Times, I would be interested in knowing from where the ‘feedback’ from members of the public was obtained.

Not from those of us who no longer try to park in the Abbey Rise short term car park after 9am , or after 10am in the Bedford car park, as they are full with all-day parkers.

It is disingenuous to say that car park users are saving up to £4.50 in parking charges, as these people had previously parked for free in the surrounding, though albeit further out of town, streets. It would be interesting to know the car parking receipt figures, as surely it is better to have more visitors/shoppers paying the old parking charges, rather than one car parked all day for £2.

The idea of starting the £2 charge after 10am is a start in the right direction, but will alienate those who want to park for a couple of hours to shop rather, than stay all day.

I have changed my shopping habits and visit Tavistock on fewer occasions, get to town early to park free in the street till 10.45am, but I have to get into position by 8.15am to secure a place as others seem to be doing the same!

But still, I can sit in the warm car and read the newspaper whilst I wait for the market to get going after 9.15am ish, or those shops that don’t open till 10am

Jill White

Tavistock