SAVING the park and ride is vital for Dartmouth, according to the Business Improve­ment District that has reacted angrily to a suggestion it should not be looking to take on the loss-making operation.

And district and county councillor Jonathan Hawkins believes it is an opportunity that would give 'power to the community'.

A working group made up of representatives from the BID, the town council, business forum and tourist infomation centre is looking at forming a trust to manage the park and ride service, which South Hams Council has warned it can no longer afford to run.

But former BID chairman Paul Reach said last week it would be financially foolish for the town to take over the running of the bus link into town. Mr Reach claimed consultants Mosaic had warned the BID board against taking on parking in the town and instead he urged South Hams Council to tackle the problem as a whole and not cherry pick the town's more profitable car parks for itself.

But BID manager Francesca Johnson said the takeover plan had the backing of Mosaic and more importantly was what people in the town wanted.

'We consulted with Mosaic Agency, our BID consultant, who we met last Wednesday, regarding our strategy and they approve of the route we are planning,' she said.

'But most importantly our levy payers, the true stakeholders of the BID, clearly communicated to us that saving this facility is vital for the town and should, therefore, receive our attention.'

For more on this story, see this week's Dartmouth Chronicle