A CAMPAIGN has been launched in Chard this week to introduce a residents’ parking scheme for people living in the town centre.

It comes following last month’s introduction of parking enforcement officers – more commonly known as traffic wardens – back into Chard after the role was taken over by Somerset County Council.

While the move has seen officers clamp down on shoppers and town centre workers who flout on-street parking restrictions, it has become a nightmare for those who actually live in the area and have nowhere to park, it has been claimed.

Mary Pomfret, of Mill Lane, told the News: “The reinstatement of parking wardens is causing great distress for people living in the town.

“Many of the terraced Victorian houses are without a drive or garage, and residents living in restricted parking areas are being heavily penalised.”

Mary added: “Chard people should have the same parking rights as people living in neighbouring towns such as Taunton and Yeovil and be able to buy residents' parking permits.”

Cllr Dave Bulmer, on behalf of residents, handed in a petition to Chard Town Council's planning and highways committee on Monday night calling for residents' parking permits to be implemented.

“A number of people have contacted me absolutely appalled at the way this has been handled,” he said.

“There has been total disregard for those living in the town centre.”

People living in places such as Fore Street, Boden Street, Holyrood Street, Mill Lane and High Street can no longer park their cars outside their homes during the day in fear of getting a ticket.

They now have to park further out of town in unrestricted residential areas or use town centre car parks.

Town councillors have backed the residents' calls and will press the county and district councils on the matter - although they have warned that people will have to pay for any permit.

Chard county council representative Cllr Jill Shortland will be in the town centre outside the Guildhall from around 10.30am today carrying out a survey among shoppers about the parking issues.

The county council’s cabinet member for highways, Cllr Harvey Siggs, has told the News he will listen to residents.

“If there are particular local issues we will consider any request from residents for a parking zone to be set up,” he said.