Views on the News - Listening to our readers

By Nora Parminter

THE story appeared in the Courier on June 2 issue 1141.

Since the introduction of the £2 charge for UP TO 10 hours of parking in the Mid Devon District Council run car park at St Saviours Way the number of people parking there has dropped dramatically.

According to figures obtained by the Courier the number of tickets bought in the car park from April 1, 2015 to February 1, 2016 was 48,036.

From April 1, 2016 when the new charges were introduced to February 1, 2017 the number of tickets was 37,666 a drop of 10,350 compared to the same period the previous year.

The cut off time for day time parking is 17.59 and the time a ticket is purchased determines how long a motorist can park.

To get the full 10 hours you would need to park at 8am, after that the time is reduced.

If you park at 5pm you will get less than an hour for £2 and if you wanted to stay longer you would need to return to the car park at 6pm to buy an overnight ticket for £1.

With less parking for your money and far less people using the car park do you think this could be detrimental to the shops and businesses in the town?

Please let me know what you think.

You can contact me at: 102 High Street, Crediton or by email at: [email protected] .

What you told us ...

I live in Greenway and over the last year there are far more cars parking there. It is much worse. There are a lot more cars. It’s much more noticeable. I don’t think it’s right that you have to put your registration number in. If you’ve paid for a ticket, it’s yours and it should be up to you whether or not you pass it on to another motorist.

Ann Johnson, Crediton

It’s good for the council, but not for motorists if they get caught out thinking they have paid for more hours.

Philip Tucker, Coldridge

Comments on social media

Expensive if you just want a few bits and can’t find any street parking.

Jane Atkinson

Yes! I shop local as much as possible, but even I have to admit that when I have wanted to just buy a last minute birthday card or bunch of flowers, I have driven down the High Street and having not been able to park, I have carried on to Tesco or Morrisons where I can park for free. I don’t think I can be the only one! Helen Keenor