CAMELFORD Show saw the launch of the town council’s various surveys, regarding matters and future projects for Camelford.

Councillors arrived at the ground armed with project plans, designs and resources to get local people on board and illustrate what they want for the future.

Although a wet and muddy day, the town council tent was buzzing with people eager to find out about what could emerge in Camelford within the next financial year.

Mayor and Cornwall Councillor for Camel­ford, Rob Rotchell, explained that the town council has been very busy, looking into new community facilities that everyone, both young and old, can enjoy.

He said: “Today there are several themes within the town council tent — we have the skatepark, with two designs for people to look at; plans for the play area at Enfield Park and, of course, the car park survey (Churchfield car park). We’ve also got some general information about the town council for people to have a look at if they wish to.”

Over recent meetings, the refurbishment of the town’s skatepark, a play park area for Enfield Park and, more recently, issues concerning parking times in Churchfield car park, have been at the top of the town council’s list.

There was a recent consultation event, where two contractors came along to discuss ideas for a modern skatepark for Camelford, and the town council have recently adopted Survey Monkey to conduct public surveys for consultation about all three of these important matters.

However, the one that has ruffled the most feathers within the community is Churchfield car park. The council recently realised that it would need to look into ways of managing people and their parking times in the free car park, so that others wanting to shop and use the town’s facilities can do so.

It was suggested that a ticket machine, stating the time and how long a car has been parked in the car park, could be a viable way of doing this.

Cllr Rotchell said: “Of course, today, the car park survey is the one that people are very interested in. It is a problem, but people are starting to make a lot of assumptions.

“We need to realise that we do have a problem. A good example is yesterday — I drove around Churchfield car park, there were no spaces available, so I had to sit and wait — and that’s fine if you’re prepared to do so. However, it is a bigger problem, if people are parking there for a day or several days, in fact. If you’ve got to do your business in Camelford or go shopping or get your hair done, I think you can do that in two or three hours — I think it would be reasonable to say that you can stay for that.

“However, if you’ve not got parking at your house, is it reasonable to say for people to pay for a permit? What we want to get across to people today is that this isn’t saying that everybody is going to have to pay.”

Cllr Rotchell continued: “I was elected eight years ago (as Cornwall Councillor) on the basis of free parking for Camelford. I think two or three hours’ parking should be free for everybody — that’s a sufficient amount of time to use the library, the Spar, get your hair done, or whatever. That could be free. However, I think if you want to stay for the day, it would be reasonable to say that you should pay something towards the costs.”

Despite Cllr Rotchell’s thoughts on this, he wanted to make clear to local people that ‘no decisions have been made’ yet, which is why the council is consulting with the public. He added: “We’ve got to resolve the problem.”

The Camelford Clean Air Group, led by Cllr Claire Hewlett, has been campaigning for better traffic measures and ways of decreasing Camelford’s air pollution since it was established last year. Its work was also at the show.

Cllr Rotchell said: “Air quality management in itself won’t attract funding. We’ve got to include air quality management in a general discussion, so it will have a chance, which is what I’m hoping to put forward at the next community network meeting.

“I’ve told them (Camelford Clean Air Group) that we won’t get the money, based just on air quality management. We need to include things such as economics, commercial and housing into this as well.”

He explained that at the next Community Network Panel meeting, he will pitch the documentation of the situation, and the people who those involved will need to approach. He said that North Cornwall Conservative MP Scott Mann will be on this team.

Many people focus solely on the negative impact that the town’s air pollution has, but Cllr Rotchell was keen to focus on the positives that Camelford offers to local people and visitors alike.

He said: “If you’re a developer, why here in Cornwall? We’ve got superfast broadband; land prices are very favourable and comparable to the likes of Truro; Newquay airport is easily accessible; you can get onto the A30 quickly from Camelford — it’s mainly lifestyle stuff. There’s an adventure centre, walking and cycling facilities, you’re 15 minutes from Polzeath beach, we’ve got green industries, it’s nice and breezy up here. There’s room to develop and grow. So we’ve got to put together a powerful case to put forward — that’ll be my next project if I get bored!”