CAMELFORD Town Council has been asked to step in after a busy junction in the town has become hazardous to motorists.

Motorists using the College Road junction with the A39 are often unable to see oncoming traffic when vehicles are parked on the pavement close to the entrance of the junction.

In the public participation section of last week’s town council meeting, Mr Maurice Brown said that for years College Road residents, visitors and workers at Highfield have been inconvenienced by vehicles parked on the piece of land at the entrance to College Road from the A39.

“College Road is busy and vehicles leaving the road are unable to see oncoming traffic down Victoria Road when vehicles are parked there, making it a dangerous spot. When vehicles are coming down Victoria Road at holiday time, it’s even more hazardous.”

Mr Brown said he has spoken to Camelford Police, and while they were sympathetic to the situation, they were unable to take any action, although attention was drawn to the law regarding double yellow lines and parking.

Due to money restraints, Highways is unable to install bollards at the spot, but a traffic warden suggested placing a couple of large flower tubs to serve the same purpose as the bollards.

“It was further suggested that tubs could be sponsored by local traders,” Mr Brown added.

“Any help the town council can give to solve the problem will be gratefully received before an accident that is waiting to happen, happens and the courts become involved.”

Mayor of Camelford Cllr Rob Rotchell said he was aware of the problem. Later in the meeting, the issue came up on the agenda.

Clerk to the council Mr Lee Dunkley said other letters have been sent to Cornwall Council highlighting it as a dangerous spot.

Cllr Andy Shaw asked who owned the land, and deputy mayor

Cllr Sue Elford said the matter been discussed in the past and she recalled that the owners of nearby properties own the land, but not the tarmac on top. She noted that due to the cars parked there, people are unable to walk with a pushchair on the pavement.

Cllr Rotchell suggested that the first step would be for the clerk to identify the ownership of the pavement and then see what could be done to resolve the issue.

“If it’s a matter of two bollards and Highways can’t do it, we might have to look at whether we fund it and Highways put them in place.”