ROSS Traders' hopes of extending on-street parking times in the town were dashed on Monday evening at a heated meeting of the Town Council.

The Chairman of the Association of Ross Traders, David MacGregor, representing traders in the town, made a request to have on-street parking time limits increased from 30 minutes to one hour, and in addition for the removal of unused taxi ranks in Broad Street and Gloucester Road. A unanimous vote quickly dealt with the often-confusing issue of taxi ranks in the town. It was agreed to propose a reduction of four spaces to two.

For a brief moment on-street parking times looked like they might also be dealt with in a similar clear and decisive way. However, in what one Councillor described to the Gazette as a 'shambolic meeting' the issue of on-street parking times was diverted into a far bigger debate regarding car parks and parking charges in the town, resulting in no decision being made.

Correspondence from Herefordshire Council in July indicated their notional support of an increase in car parking times as long as Ross Town Council was willing to 'rubber stamp' it.

At Monday's meeting several Councillors offered their support for the scheme, including Cllrs Atkinson, Edwards and Cutter, all 'bowing to the traders' greater knowledge.'

A voice of caution from Councillor Jane Roberts and Councillor Chris Bartrum stalled what was looking like a positive vote for the new parking time scheme. Cllr Roberts said she wasn't convinced it was the right way forward and added: "I fear it might drive shoppers away or lead to congestion." The single issue of on-street parking times quickly moved on to the larger question of parking in the town. Cllr Bartrum said the council were being asked to do something with no hard evidence to support it.

An exasperated Cllr Atkinson said he was sympathetic to ART, who had lobbied hard for this. The offer from the Council, he said, was the best they had had, and they were up against the clock as the offer was due to end on September 14th.

Still reeling the morning after the Town Council Meeting, ART chairman, David MacGregor, told the Gazette: "Sadly, I left the meeting utterly confused, as did other Councillors, and very disappointed that, despite strong support prior to the meeting, which if voted upon would have resulted in a majority result and action being taken, nothing was decided. The key issue was tagged on to other parking issues which will require lengthy debate and have no short term possibility of coming to fruition. This issue could, and should, have been done and dusted on the night, and resulted in a good news story for Ross.

"It's a very disheartening experience to be in this kind of situation, but I look forward to the next meeting and trying to get some clarity and honest democracy on this vital issue for the good of Ross. I commend those Councillors who spoke up in support of this proposal. Just a shame they didn't get to vote on it."

Contacted by the Gazette, Cllr Atkinson said: "People have sensible arguments against ART's on-street parking proposals, and ART have their own views. But, I think after all the faffing around for more then two months since the original offer came from Herefordshire Council, we could have put it to the vote and had an outcome. Instead, the whole meeting descended into shambles."

As we went to press the Gazette learned that an 'extraordinary' Town Council Meeting to discuss the on-street parking issue will be held next Tuesday, September 18th as Herefordshire Council has agreed to extend the deadline by a few days.