Tourists to be charged extra to park in hotspots

Visitors to some of Devon’s most popular summer hotspots will have to pay more than local people for their precious parking spaces.

The South Hams is bringing in two-tier charges, with residents being offered a discount and tourists paying full price.

The district council is increasing charges for the first time since 2021. The South Hams charges less for parking than most of its neighbours, but the council claims rising prices means it has to put its prices up.

Some car parks serving main shopping areas will be designated as ‘premium’, while less busy ones will be ‘standard’. Prices would be set accordingly, and will be increased annually in line with inflation.

Consultations will be carried out in the main towns affected, including Totnes, Dartmouth, Salcombe, Kingsbridge and Ivybridge.

A report for the executive committee said the two-tier structure would reduce the burden for local residents.

Cllr John McKay (Lib Dem, West Dart) said increasing the cost of parking could  take traffic off the roads and encourage car sharing, but council chairman Bernard Taylor (Con, Charterlands) warned that hiking charges could hit town centre trade.

“It’s important that we keep the footfall,” he said. “Our small towns have suffered enough.”

Deputy council leader Dan Thomas (Lib Dem, Newton and Yealmpton) stressed that nothing had been decided yet, and consultation was vital.

But he said a two-tier system was a manifesto commitment for the Lib Dems.

“I don’t think we are demonising tourism,” he added. “We are charging tourists to support the economy of the South Hams. I don’t see any shame in that. I think it is to be celebrated.

“What we are doing is important and necessary.”