Residents' parking scheme is needed for town centre (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Residents' parking scheme is needed for town centre

6:13pm Friday 31st August 2007 in Chard By Steve Sowden

CHARD councillor Jill Shortland is worried about the on-going problems of residential parking in the town centre.

Cllr Shortland said there was a big problem' in Chard and is adamant that no further developments for homes of flats in the town centre should be given the go-ahead if they do not include provision for residential parking.

"If we are going to give planning permission then we have to make sure that there is at least one parking space per unit," she said.

At the moment there is no resident parking permit scheme in Chard, unlike other areas of South Somerset such as Yeovil, and councillors said last week that they would be in favour of it being introduced.

Cllr Dave Bulmer said: "Residents have raised this issue with me and I have asked about it at district council level.

"They've told me they will be looking at parking permits, but can't indicate at this stage when that will be. Residents' parking is needed in Chard."

Councillors were warned last week, however, that the introduction of parking schemes was a long drawn-out process.

At the moment town centre residents can by season tickets to use the public car parks, but people are unhappy about doing that as many have found their vehicles get damaged.