Hedley Piper, of Weeke Hill, Dartmouth, writes:

In response to your pleas, some of these proposals seem sensible and ,as ever , some rather less so. Bravo that there is recognition of the importance to the town's ambiance and the need for short term parking for those shopping in town. It is upon that principle that the rest of the proposals should be judged. The other two main problems are congestion and resident's parking. Visitor parking can be accommodated by improvements in Park and Ride.

The coach park at Admiral Court is, admirable.

A coach and bus unloading zone on the site of the greenhouses turning buses right there is very sensible. It frees the boat float from much of its congesting traffic.

The bus route up Victoria Road could be accommodated by building a bus only lane, controlled by dedicated traffic lights opposite the methodist church. Between the Mayors Avenue car park and the Avenue Gardens; take 4 feet from each; and only permit single deckers to travel on Victoria Road.

Pedestrianization of Smith Street, Higher Street, Fairfax, Lower Street and the boat float area is wrong. It shows a complete lack of understanding of how the town works.

I would suggest that working to reduce the roundabout effect of the boat float is a good idea. All HGVs should quite simply be prohibited. A warehouse area at Admiral Court could accommodate transfers of goods that have to go down town. A new business and employment opportunity for someone (living in our new 400 home sink estate?)

Which really only leaves 'resident's parking'. To this there must be an element of caveat emptor applied.

I believe that a multi-story car park at the bottom of College Way risks being an ugly and expensive overkill.

I would suggest that a cheaper and more attractive option, it could be experimental, would be to put in concrete planter dividers to reduce College Way to sections of two lane traffic with a third lane for herring bone parking.

Create a section at the top on the west side starting just below the top Victoria Road junction, with echelon (angled?) parking.

Create a similar section on the east side in the middle facing up the hill, and then a third section toward the bottom. It works out that the sand trap and the entrances to the fire station and the college can be accommodated by this arrangement. There is more than seven acres of usable space if one measures it out. It could be serviced by the park and ride buses going up and down. This idea was presented to former councilmen some years ago but requires a little imagination to fully comprehend its advantages. There would be more than enough space for residents and visitors although it might require a little more walking.