THERE is no 'quick-fix solution' to Teignmouth's parking problems, a councillor has warned.

The hot topic was the main issue raised at the annual parish meeting on Tuesday, when the public has the chance to grill town councillors.

Trader Colin Authors demanded to know when the council was going 'to do something' about the lack of parking, and over-zealous traffic wardens booking too many motorists.

'The situation is stopping people coming to the town, and traders are losing vast amounts of money. A lot of customers are complaining about the limited time for parking,' he told the meeting at Bitton House.

Cllr Terry Falcao agreed that many people were frustrated with the parking in Teignmouth, but said that, unfortunately, there were no quick-fix answers.

The situation had developed over many years, and the council had set up a working party to look at the issue and come up with recommendations, but wanted to make sure it was done properly.

Cllr James McMurray admitted it was a 'chronic problem', and gave an assurance that the working party would not be just a 'talking shop'.

'The problem is bad, and is now moving out to the surrounding areas from the town centre. We need to break it down, area by area. But a lot of time and effort is needed.'

The town council would work with Teignbridge, the traders and other agencies to try and improve parking, Cllr David Cox pledged. A balance had to be struck between the needs of local motorists, the business community and visitors.

Cllr Sylvia Russell reported that she had talks with Teignbridge parking supremo Sue Edwards over the 'very expensive' and little used reserved parking spaces, to try and bring them back into general use, which would help.

And Cllr Geoff Bladon recalled that eight years ago he suggested putting a deck over the Quay Road car park, only to be told by the county council it could not be done because it would interfere with the view from Luny House, a listed building.

'This issue has been going on ad infinitum. We need proper parking to bring people into the town, which will encourage more quality shops to open.'

A former hotelier, Alan Ashby, asked what had happened to the £400,000 given by the Co-op when the Brook Street store was built in 1996, towards improved parking in the town.

Town clerk Dave Tickell said the cash had gone to Teignbridge, and was ring fenced for parking upgrades.

A prominent member of the Teignmouth Traders' Association, Ian Palmer, announced they now had 100 members, and thanked the council for its cooperation.

'Since we started, mistakes have been made on both sides, but we are learning together. We can never please all 100 members, but we will be coming to you with lots of ideas on how to improve the town.'