FOURTEEN car parking spaces look set to be re-instated in the Market Place, Devizes, following pressure from townspeople.

A review of the changes to the Market Place recommends that the extra spaces be created.

A survey carried out for the review questioned 300 people about their views on the appearance of the Market Place and 64 per cent said they liked the new layout.

A report on the review was discussed in private by the town centre joint member working party, comprised of district, town and county councillors, on Friday.

The working party agreed by a majority that the extra parking spaces should be created. The matter needs to be agreed by Kennet District Council's policy committee.

Ron Crook, the director of community services at Kennet, said when the changes to the Market Place were implemented early last year more than 50 spaces were lost.

There are currently 85 spaces in the Market Place. Thirteen of the 14 new spaces will be created between the Market Cross and the fountain.

The service road will be narrowed to create more space in the parking area. In addition the entrance into the parking area will be widened to allow vehicles to circulate better.

Mr Crook told the Gazette that the councils were responding to concerns by people. He said: "By creating 14 extra spaces we have tried to find a solution which puts more car parking spaces back into the Market Place as well as creating more space so motorists don't block the entrance into the parking area.

"But what we are planning to do will not compromise the benefits of making the Market Place a much more pleasant experience."

Mr Crook said, as part of the survey, more than 30 businesses in the Market Place were questioned. They responded with a variety of views, including that the changes had made it difficult for customers to park, along with calls for the Market Place to be pedestrianised.

The work to install the 14 spaces is set to take place in November and take two weeks.