The West Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee met on Monday 29 June 2026 and made decisions regarding local waiting restrictions. The committee elected Councillor James Grainger as Chair for the ensuing year and approved the minutes from the previous meeting held on 3 December 2025.

Local Waiting Restriction Programme

The committee discussed proposals for local waiting restrictions, with decisions made on two specific locations.

Bridge Street, Hatherleigh

It was resolved that the operating times for the bus-only bay on Bridge Street, Hatherleigh, would be relaxed to Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. This change aims to allow the bus bay area to be used outside of school times. The original proposal was to introduce a Buses Only At Any Time bay to improve safety for school children. However, significant objections were raised by Pyles auction house, who argued that the restrictions would prevent them from loading and parking their vehicles, potentially forcing them to relocate. They also suggested alternative bus stopping locations and a staggered bus collection time to alleviate congestion. While some residents supported the proposal due to concerns about large vehicles mounting pavements and posing a hazard to pedestrians, including school children, the committee opted for a compromise by adjusting the operating hours. The officer's recommendation to relax the times was accepted, balancing the need for school safety with the operational requirements of local businesses.

The Nook, Laburnum Cottages, The Lawn, Tavistock

The committee resolved that the proposals for No Waiting At Any Time restrictions at The Nook, Laburnum Cottages, and The Lawn in Tavistock would not be progressed. The original proposal aimed to prevent obstructive parking and improve access for emergency vehicles. This was supported by some residents who reported issues with ambulances being unable to access properties, parking preventing residents from leaving their homes, and damage to walls and gardens due to difficult turning manoeuvres. However, the vast majority of respondents, 81 out of 86, opposed the proposals. Concerns were raised about the impact on residents' ability to park close to their homes, particularly for those with mobility issues, frequent hospital visits, or who work on call. Many residents argued that only residents parked in the area and that the proposals would unfairly penalise them, potentially forcing them to sell their homes or impacting their independence. There were also concerns about displacement of parking onto other already congested streets, such as Parkwood Road and College Avenue. The committee ultimately decided against implementing the restrictions, acknowledging the significant opposition and the potential negative impact on residents, particularly those who are elderly or have mobility issues.

Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The committee noted a report detailing actions taken under delegated powers since the last meeting. This included the implementation of a traffic order for an extension to the 30mph speed limit on Brook Lane, Tavistock, after no objections were received. Price increases for pay and display parking in various off-street car parks for the Dartmoor National Park Authority in 2024 and 2025 were also noted, having been advertised after consultation with local County Councillors and the HATOC Chair or Vice Chair. Additionally, a traffic order for bus stop multi-modal integration upgrades at Moorland Villas, Yelverton, was advertised, with objections resolved and the order implemented after consultation with the Local County Councillor and Vice HATOC Chair.