ALLOTMENT holders in Devizes are furious that Wiltshire Council wants to put yellow lines along a stretch of road they use for parking.

Nigel Carter, who is vice-chairman of the Devizes and District Allotment Association and a Devizes town councillor, has written to protest at the plan.

In a letter he said: "I write on behalf of the Devizes and District Allotment Association to protest most strongly the proposed imposition of parking restrictions on New Park Road, adjacent to the canal bridge and Quaker’s Walk.

"Many of the allotment holders on Quaker’s Walk Allotment are retired. Many are less physically capable than, perhaps, they might like. Their dependence upon their cars for transporting tools and produce is very considerable.

"Currently, parking is available beyond the canal bridge in New Park Road, adjacent to the gates of Quaker’s Walk. A small lay-by and some road space will accept perhaps six cars – there are more than 60 allotments. The space available is currently under pressure from casual, all-day parkers. This is aggravated on market days, where at least one van is regularly parked there.

"Any restrictions on New Park Road would put this slender availability of space under even more pressure, denying many allotment holders reasonable access to their recreational activity."

Allotment holder Gisela Coker, who has had a patch for seven years, said: "Most of us only drive down when we have heavy items that we need to bring. Without the parking it would be very difficult."

Brian Cook, who has had his allotment for 40 years, said: "There is no need for this change." He called for allotment holders to be given permits to allow them to park.

Mr Carter said that Wiltshire Council had informed the allotment association that the changes were to make it safer for walkers and cyclists who use Quaker's Walk to reach the town centre.

He said: "There have been no incidents on the street, and other than the hospital hedge encroaching onto the pavement for a short distance, no apparent impediment to movement down it for either pedestrians or cyclists."

The organisation has asked the council to put the parking restrictions on hold.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: "The parking restrictions are part of a larger proposed scheme to widen the pavement to create a safe and pleasant route for cyclists and pedestrians from Quakers Walk to Devizes centre.

"The proposal was aired at a public consultation last year on how best to spend section 106 money from the Quakers Walk development to fund pedestrian and cyclist schemes and help combat air quality issues in the town.

“We will be considering all the comments we have received about this proposal before a decision is made."