SAVING the park and ride is vital for Dartmouth, according to the Business Improve­ment District that has reacted angrily to a suggestion it should not be looking to take on the loss-making operation.

And district and county councillor Jonathan Hawkins believes it is an opportunity that would give 'power to the community'.

A working group made up of representatives from the BID, the town council, business forum and tourist infomation centre is looking at forming a trust to manage the park and ride service, which South Hams Council has warned it can no longer afford to run.

But former BID chairman Paul Reach said last week it would be financially foolish for the town to take over the running of the bus link into town. Mr Reach claimed consultants Mosaic had warned the BID board against taking on parking in the town and instead he urged South Hams Council to tackle the problem as a whole and not cherry pick the town's more profitable car parks for itself.

But BID manager Francesca Johnson said the takeover plan had the backing of Mosaic and more importantly was what people in the town wanted.

'We consulted with Mosaic Agency, our BID consultant, who we met last Wednesday, regarding our strategy and they approve of the route we are planning,' she said.

'But most importantly our levy payers, the true stakeholders of the BID, clearly communicated to us that saving this facility is vital for the town and should, therefore, receive our attention.'

BID chairman Nigel Way added: 'Mr Reach did a lot for the BID but when the local authority tell you they are going to cut the service, you have to do something.'

'And working in unison with other groups in the town, as well as the district council, has to be the way forward.'

Ms Johnson said she was disappointed Mr Reach did not come to the BID with his concerns.

'We would rather Paul speak with us directly as he needs to know the full details of our planned solution before criticising us in the local press,' she said.

'If he did so then he would know that we are all acting very responsibly and simply applying the modern-day resolution of localism to protect our town services.

'At this stage we are simply facilitating a better short-term solution for the park and ride, with no financial risk anyway.

'We have asked Paul several times to join our parking group, which is not solely a BID team as it represents the whole town covering the business forum, TIC, town and county council, and the invitation still stands.'

South Hams Council leader Cllr John Tucker said he believed working together was the way forward.

'We have been contacted by the BID, Dartmouth Town Council and business forum to deliver a sustainable park and ride for the town,' he said.

'We are encouraging them to work with us to find a way forward to encompass all the parking issues in Dartmouth.

'In this economic climate, we must protect our income and if all parties can come up with a solution on parking which enables that to happen then that is the best way forward.'

But town councillor Dave Cawley questioned whether the BID or town council had the expertise to run the park and ride.

'I fully and wholeheartedly agree with Paul Reach,' he said.

'My opinion, and I have been on every parking group for a dozen years, is that neither the BID or the town council have the ability to run the park and ride.

'Even if one or both did have the ability, it would be reckless and irresponsible to do so. Worse still, these negotiations seem to be kept as a secret from the "second class" councillors.'

And at an earlier town council meeting, Cllr David Gent questioned how the town intended to make a success of the park and ride when South Hams Council had failed.

'Were they wrong right at the beginning when they said we needed a park and ride or has it gone wrong since and failed by mismanagement?' he asked.

But Cllr Hawkins said up until about four years ago the operation was in profit and he believed with careful management it could make money.

'Dartmouth knows what it needs, whereas South Hams Council goes out to tender every three or four years, and it would be an opportunity that would be good for the town,' he said.

'A working group has been set up and with serious consideration I believe it could be successful and give power to the community.'

Mayor Rob Lyon said the town had to fight to save the park and ride.

'South Hams District Council, like Devon County Council, has serious funding issues caused by Govern­ment cuts.

'They are proposing that the park and ride will only be open at Easter, spring bank holiday, school summer holidays and autumn half term, and this would be a disaster for our town.

'The town must fight this detrimental act. Dartmouth has a geographical footprint unlike any other South Hams town.

'We must demand South Hams Council takes this into account.

'If the argument is lost, then we must seek to find another option to provide our town and its visitors with not only a park and ride but the best one possible.

'The park and ride is the first and foremost marketing tool for Dartmouth.'

Peter Bailey, chairman of Dartmouth Business Forum, said: 'Parking and access is a continual challenge in the town.

'However, I am a firm believer that it can be managed better for both residents and businesses alike.

'The topic of the park and ride has been brought into sharp focus by the proposed cut in service which would have negatively impacted both communities by making it harder to access the town in the peak periods.

'To that end, the business forum has entered into a pro-active collaboration with the town council, BID team and the TIC in order to try and work out a better solution which is financially viable.

'It is as a result of a number of lengthy discussions that the idea of Dartmouth increasing direct control over the service was put forward.

'Based on the information I have seen, I believe it needs to be considered as an option and would yield some other benefits to our community which might outweigh the administrative overhead.'