MOTORISTS in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne could see improvements on and off the roads with the introduction of the first comprehensive parking strategy for the area.

South Somerset District council approved the strategy last Thursday at a full council meeting in Yeovil.

The strategy tackles issues of parking in the towns, on road parking, charges and fines, as well as allowing the council to see how supply and demand will change in each town every year up to 2016.

Chard town and county councillor Jill Shortland said: "I went to the meeting along with four members of the Mitchell Gardens Residents Association who were protesting about on road parking in their area last week.

"I asked the council to consider making the season tickets annual instead of 12 weekly, as this would cut down on administration costs.

"I also asked them to investigate the possibility of having a season ticket for part time and job share workers, which would make it more accessible for them to buy a season ticket.

"Cllr Dan Shortland later proposed these considerations be added to the strategy, and they were passed."

One of the issues covered in the meeting was to ensure a flow of shoppers in the town centre by securing short-term car parks close to towns designed for shoppers, and long-term car parks on the outskirts of towns.

Cllr John Farley, in charge of transport for the council, said: "This is the first time South Somerset has had a strategy for our car parks that enables us to meet the demand placed upon them.

"We have identified Crewkerne and Ilminster that are in need of immediate attention.

"These towns have high pressures placed on their car parks, and will require extra spaces."

Part of the strategy refers to Civil Parking Enforcement where the police, subject to Government approval, will pass on parking enforcement to the district council.

Cllr Farley said: "Crucially the council is not going to charge or promote on street parking where congestion will result, and as such any changes to charging will be in conjunction with CPE and more active enforcement measures."

Chard and Crewkerne will be two of the first towns likely to receive CPE during the summer of 2008, with Ilminster likely in April 2009.