A ONE-WAY system should be introduced in Chard to relieve traffic congestion, it has been claimed this week.

Retired police officer Robin Goody, 76, from Forton, has mapped out a system for the town which he says would help the flow of traffic, reduce the number of traffic lights and bring onstreet parking income.

Heading from Taunton into Chard along the A358, the one-way system would take motorists left at Victoria Avenue, next to B&Q, along East Street to the current crossroads, left along Convent Link/Millfield past St Mary’s Church and right along Duck Lane and Crowshute Link until High Street.

Mr Goody said he had thought about the idea for a number of years but wanted to raise it on the back of the News’ front page story of June 11 over Mactaggart and Mickel’s plans to revamp the A358/A30 crossroads at the bottom of Fore Street.

He added: “The conclusion I have reached to relieve traffic congestion and parking in the town would amount to a one-way system which would alleviate the use of traffic lights to only that for pedestrian crossing use.

“All junctions would have sweep turns left or right and have room for widening at the junction mouths to ease traffic movement.

“Additionally, more parking spaces could be available as each road on the one-way circuit would only have one lane of traffic.”

Mr Goody, who has submitted his idea to Chard Town Council, said parking meters could be installed along the routes for on-street parking and felt car parks further away from the shops could be made free.

He added: “I know this could be a reasonably costly exercise but it would be very beneficial to Chard in the future – buses would be diverted where necessary and new bus stops organised to meet requirements.”