DAVID DRURY of Ford Valley, Dartmouth, writes:

The problem with parking in Dartmouth could be debated over and over again without any concrete solution being ever agreed.

When the parking meter issues were debated we had a public meeting and locals vented their views at a very heated meeting and the views were, no meters and something needs to be done on parking.

We are now having to defend our parking again because nothing was done at the last episode.

I wrote several letters on the matter and even came up with an idea – a local resident and business disc system.

This would be on an annual basis, where as local residents and businesses could apply for a disc to display on their windscreen, colour coded annually to stop abuse.

One car per household and one vehicle per business. On the disc would be car registration name or business to stop discs from being abused on other vehicles.

Also a Dartmouth postcode would need to be provided for residents and business.

Residents would only be considered if they are in residence all year round and their houses were not holiday homes.

Once the disc was displayed the resident or business owner would be able to park anywhere within parking areas. Any abuse of the disc being put on other vehicles would have the disc revoked.

Employees of businesses outside of Dartmouth could pose a problem. Perhaps a different colour disc with the name of the business on it.

Business owners could allocate employees with the disc when they are working or on shift and the employee could return it to the business when their shift is finished so it can be deployed to someone else in that business. More than one employee at the same business perhaps car share.

Any vehicle that does not display a disc would have to comply with any restrictions.

Visitors and shoppers to Dartmouth would still be able to shop and visit as they do now.

Parking restrictions that are from May 30 to September 30. Councillor Hawkins is right in what he said on people parking their vehicles for seven months of the year. This is not on when residents have to fight for their parking. The simple solution to that is make the areas a maximum stay of 24 hours. If it is abused impose a substantial fine of three figures or tow the vehicle away which would cost them hundreds of pounds to retrieve.

I am sure the enforcement team of traffic wardens would relish at making more money for the cause. Enforce the park and ride in high season and make the town a no go area for cars. That would give residents and business a lot more freedom to park.