Seaton residents meet with DCC representatives to fight parking charges

SEATON residents have met with Devon County Councillors to discuss proposed parking metres in the town.

SEATON residents have met with Devon County Councillors to discuss proposed parking metres in the town.

People from Seafield Road, Sea Hill and Eyre Court met with town and county councillor Jim Knight and Gary Powell, a DCC officer, on Thursday, February 11.

The event was organised by Gaynor Sedgwick, Chamber of Commerce member and bed and breakfast owner, at the Eyre Court Hotel.

She said: "Residents felt that Seaton needed a helping hand from DCC, not another nail in the coffin."

The Herald reported earlier this month the council's proposals to implement on street pay and display areas on several roads in the town and along the seafront.

But town councillors and residents are outraged by the plans, and the council has formally opposed the move.

During the meeting, residents said the streets were mainly residential and near most of the town's recreational facilities - with the Bowling Green, children's play area, tennis courts and gardens. They argued people would be less likely to use the facilities if they had to pay to park.

Residents believe people would be deterred from shopping in the town, that the four bed and breakfasts in the Sea Hill area would be affected, and paying for parking would have a knock on effect on businesses in the town.

It was put to the Cllr Knight and Mr Powell that it would also make life difficult for the residents, staff and visitors of people in the care homes or retirement apartments.

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