THE backlash against a decision to ban parking in Devizes Market Place is continuing to grow with both a petition and a questionnaire being launched by disgruntled drivers and traders.

Henry Pawlak, who is Devizes born and bred, launched an on-line petition with Wiltshire Council last week to gauge public opinion and now nearly 500 people have signed. The petition reads: "We the undersigned petition the council to renegotiate the transfer of responsibility to Devizes Town Council for the management of Devizes Market Place and allow the town council to keep the car parking facilities there for the benefit of townspeople, visitors and local businesses."

Around 500 people have signed meaning the matter will have to be discussed at the next Devizes Area Board meeting.

Mr Pawlak said: "I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to sign the petition. I started it because I really think the vast majority of Devizes people are against what has been decided and there was not enough consultation. We need to ensure the best decision for everyone, residents and businesses."

Devizes Town Council is take over the running of the Market Place along with other services from April but town clerk Simon Fisher said the parking would not disappear straightaway and changes were unlikely to come into force until September.

Under the agreement with Wiltshire most parking in the Market Place will be stopped leaving it to become a space for events and markets. But a taxi rank and disabled parking will be created at one end.

Mr Fisher said the town council had responded to the worries of traders by calling a meeting for Thursday evening (Jan 31) in the Corn Exchange with the Federation of Small Businesses and Devizes Chamber of Commerce.

He said: "We want to have the opportunity to speak to those most affected and to explain our plans in more detail and to ask for their input."

Businessman Giles Morgan from Poulshot, near Devizes, has launched The Devizes Future Market Place Group and he has spent this week delivering a questionnaire to businesses in the town asking them if they think parking should remain and if they believe they will lose business if it goes.

A number traders have responded to the Market Place announcement by saying they would have preferred to have had paid parking as first suggested by Wiltshire Council rather than no parking.

Linda Baker from Sassy Chic home style shop in Sidmouth Street said: "I think the loss of parking will have a huge effect on trade in the town. I would prefer paid for parking rather than no parking in the Market Place."

Town councillor John Stevens this week admitted he made a mistake when he did not vote against the proposal. He said: "I abstained but now I wish I had voted against."

Many traders fear businesses will close if the parking is removed and fuel has been added to the fire by the announcement by Santander that its Devizes branch is one of the casualties of it cutting back on offices.

Mr Morgan said: "Santander closing does not send out a good message to other businesses. Most of the banks are positioned around the Market Place and people use the parking there to pop in to do business. If they stop doing that other banks could use it an an excuse to close."

To sign the petition go to https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=76