Okehampton residents raised concerns over dangerous and inconsiderate parking in the town at the annual assembly meeting held on Monday (March 28).

Several people who attended the meeting raised concerns about drivers parking on double yellow lines and over pavements

Northfield Road was noted as a particular hotspot for such parking, which residents feared was putting pedestrians in danger.

Okehampton resident Derek Ellis, 84, who attended the meeting, said: ‘People park on double yellow lines and half over the pavements. Northfield Road is particularly bad.

‘There’s no room for anyone in a wheelchair or pushing a pram to get through. They would have to go round the cars and walk in the road to get by.’

It was also suggested that there should be double yellow lines between Limehayes Road and Hunters Gate

Responsibility for the state of the county’s roads lies ultimately with Devon County Council, but Cllr Michael Ireland suggested that better enforcement, which could include CCTV cameras or civil enforcement officers, could be one way of reducing the number of inappropriately parked vehicles in the town.

‘People totally disregard yellow lines,’ said Cllr Ireland, ‘We need enforcement. There is nobody to enforce the law. That’s the problem.’

Concerns about potentially dangerous driving were also raised by residents, who pointed out that drivers often failed to take note of the ‘No Entry’ sign on North Road.

Mr Ellis described it as ‘an accident waiting to happen’ and was particularly concerned that a child could be killed or seriously injured when the road became busy at school home time.

‘A child will be killed one day and I hope it’s not in my lifetime,’ he added.

However, Cllr Tony Leech informed residents that he had highlighted the issue to the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC), which deals with traffic issues affecting the community, and had asked it to prioritise reviewing the junction.

Other traffic issues raised by residents included the behaviour of the builders working at Okement Park, the new housing development in Okehampton.

Residents described how some of the truck drivers parked in inappropriate places making it difficult for residents to use the road safely.

Cllr Ann Wood said: ‘I find it absolutely amazing how the builders and constructors think they can run the road. There’s total disregard for other road users.’

Residents have made previous complaints about the behaviour of the truck drivers on the construction site.

At the end of last year, one resident reported that the construction workers were parking incorrectly, causing obstructions for other residents, and failing to clean their vehicles properly, leaving debris lying in the road.

David Wilson Homes, which is running the Okement Park construction, has since apologised for any inappropriate behaviour experienced by residents.

Town infrastructure, road repair works, the CCTV in Simmons Park and the progress of the Parkway Station application, which was previously unsuccessful, were also discussed at the meeting.