On-street parking fees ‘designed to improve parking management’

County official makes claim in letter to Honiton Town Council.

DEVON County Council claims the introduction of on-street parking fees in Honiton is “designed to improve parking management”.

Ian Harrison, the council’s deputy executive director of environment, economy and culture, makes the claim in a letter to Honiton Town Council.

The letter, typed as the Midweek Herald went to press with news of the introduction of town centre parking fees two weeks ago, was the first official notification the town council had received on the subject.

Mr Harrison told town clerk Lyn Hargood: “This is a more efficient and effective method of parking management and has many benefits.”

He went on to state that increased turnover of spaces, prompted by a one hour maximum stay rule, would benefit local businesses and that there would be “less congestion” in High Street.

Mr Harrison further claimed that availability of spaces would “encourage new customers to the town”.

The generation of extra revenue for Devon county Council was mentioned as a secondary issue in Mr Harrison’s letter.

“The income from pay and display across the county supports the parking enforcement service, public transport and other transport schemes,” he wrote.