CARAVANS and motor homes which have been turfed out of holiday parks are now clogging up residential streets – and there’s little Cornwall Council can do about it, writes Richard Whitehouse, local democracy reporter.

After holiday parks shut their gates over the weekend – following a backlash against people who had decided to come to Cornwall during the coronavirus crisis – there have been reports of people setting up camp in residential streets.

Cllr Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for transport, said the council’s powers were limited in what it could do to tackle the problem.

He said: “This was mentioned briefly in a meeting that we had with officers this morning and we are looking at what we can do.

“However we don’t have any powers to move people on unless they are parked illegally and there are yellow lines.

“If the Government were to change the legislation then we might be able to do more.

“But, at the moment, there is very little that we can do if a vehicle is legal, unless they are dropping waste on the highway, but most of these motorhomes are self-contained and there is no need for that.”

Cllr Brown said there had been incidents reported to the council and that officers would continue working to see if there was anything that could be done to help.

He added: “It is something we are definitely looking at.

“The ideal thing would be for the government to say ‘if you are on holiday, go home’ – that is the message that we need to get out there right now.”

At the weekend a new campaign was launched with MPs, tourism leaders and emergency services urging people not to visit Cornwall during the coronavirus pandemic and instead #comebacklater

Cherilyn Mackrory, MP for Truro and Falmouth, said: “Coming on holiday during this time to Cornwall or anywhere else is not necessary travel. My message to anyone considering travelling to Cornwall for a holiday at this time is simple ‘Do not come’.

“We are always happy to welcome visitors during normal times. But these are not normal times.”

And St Austell and Newquay MP Steve Double said: “As a supporter of the tourism and hospitality industry we fully understand the huge and grave challenges facing the sector at this time and why some businesses may want to take this opportunity to bring visitors to Cornwall.

“However, this is first and foremost a medical and health crisis. We must not underestimate how serious this is and our first priority has to be to protect the public from this dangerous virus.

“We continue to press the Government for more measures to support all businesses affected by this crisis but the overriding concern has to be to keep people safe and well.

"Please take the appropriate steps to keep you and your family safe, and help Cornwall stay safe and well by avoiding coming here on holiday at this time."