A NUMBER of Crediton traders, the Mayor of Crediton and some visitors to the town say they disagree with former district councillor Martin Binks about creating parking bays on the town square (“Courier”, March 25).

David Oliver, vice-chair, Crediton Chamber of Commerce, the owner of Oliver’s Bakery, said: “The town square has become a beautiful open space which many people use, many people simply relax in, many community events now take place in, and many visitors admire.

“Much better to leave it alone and focus on more important things.”

Steve Brannon, owner of Ashton’s coffee shop, on the square, says: “Just leave it alone and stop interfering: There’s absolutely no evidence of disabled people wanting reserved parking spaces or indeed to Tarmac the square, which is what would be needed for permanent vehicle access, and anyway, the last thing that people relaxing around the square having coffee and a bite to eat want is to have cars going back and forwards just in front of them with all the extra engine noise and exhaust fumes washing over them.”

Mid Devon District Councillor, Crediton town councillor and Mayor of Crediton, Frank Letch says: “We are opposed to this. The town council has always envisaged the square as an open space at all times, and it should be available as such to a wide cross-section of the community to use.

“Its use as a community destination and venue continues to develop, which is excellent progress and we should encourage, not discourage that.”

Lou Watson-Brown, owner of The Green Shop, on the historic Pannier market, says: “Unlike Mr Binks we’re here all day, every day and we see a huge variety of uses of the square.

“It’s just terrific seeing so many people using it, plus of course some of our customers love to use the shop while their partner takes the children round the square or plays games with them, wonderful, and clearly we wouldn’t want to see that restricted by more cars.

“In all our years here we’ve never once heard any disabled people calling for this; there’s plenty of existing spaces.”

Regular users of the square are 70 year-old Edward Daniels, from Stockleigh Pomeroy, and his brother Michael Daniels, from Plymouth, who use the square to play boules.

“We meet and play here once a month,” said Michael, who added: “It’s a wonderful place, a little bit French in design and with the coffee shops, pub and cafes nearby, it’s very distinctive. We’ve often said what a brilliant place for a national boules competition! The last thing you need is to have cars park on it, disability or no; there’s plenty of parking spaces available.”

Events producer Rod Brookes-Hocking - former chair for 15 years of the town square campaign group and now chair of the Town Team, said: “This sounds more like a bit of political posturing than anything else.

“People seem very happy with the way the square is developing, with everything from farmers’ markets, the food festival, live music and theatre events to Christmas in Crediton, kids playing football or people just sitting outside relaxing having a coffee: They don’t want it filled in with concrete and cars, it’s a valuable community resource and many people in the town love it as an open space.”

Alan Quick