Residents' parking restrictions are set to be introduced across large areas of Exmouth.

Councillors on the East Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) on Friday, December 4, unanimously agreed to advertise the traffic regulation orders that would enable the parking restrictions to be put in place.

It followed a consultation back in October 2019 which received more than 1,200 responses from about 1,000 addresses in Exmouth.

More than 60 per cent of the respondents in the areas affected supported proposals to introduce a residents' parking scheme.

The East Devon HATOC heard that as a result, it was proposed that restrictions are progressed in the zones where the majority of responses are in favour of a scheme.

The report of Meg Booth, chief officer for highways, said: "It should be noted that this may include some roads where residents may be opposed to a scheme, but it is not practical or appropriate to exclude that road from the proposals being developed.

"A number of residents from Bicton Place have submitted comments as part of the consultation to request that they be included in a scheme and it is recommended that the proposals be amended to include this road."

Restrictions will be introduced in five zones:

Zone A – Colonies Area

Zone C – St Andrews Road Area

Zone E – Carter Avenue Area

But she added that a sixth zone around the town centre area (EX6) saw a very low response rate of just 6.2 per cent, and as those responding had mixed views, but slightly more were opposed to a scheme, it is recommended that the proposed restrictions are not progressed in this area.

Following discussions with the local members, it is proposed that the residents' parking scheme will apply between 8am and 8pm on all days to maximise the benefits of a scheme at the times it can be enforced.

The consultation responses saw that the times that most people found difficult to park outside their homes were either after 4pm in the evening, or at weekends.

Cllr Richard Scott, who represents Exmouth, backed the proposals which were 'a massive piece of work to try and solve the problem of parking'. He added: "I hope the members can see the detail and I ask that you support the largest change in parking restrictions in Exmouth."

His fellow ward member, Cllr Jeff Trail added: "This is a massive change for the residents who have faced parking issues and a lack of residents unable to park near their homes."

The proposals were unanimously supported by the East Devon HATOC, and subject to no objections being received to the traffic regulation order process, will come into force at a date yet to be determined.