PARKING problems in Camelford’s Churchfield Car Park were discussed at the May 16 meeting of council, with concern raised about some users exploiting the free parking, writes Suzanne Cleave.

In light of the recent problems — which has seen some users go over the time allocated in the short stay bays — councillors discussed the off-street parking places order 2011.

Clerk to the council, Esther Greig, said in order to enforce the parking bays, users would need to get a ticket on their arrival, stating the time.

She is currently looking into quotes for machines, but the council would need to purchase a pay and display machine and block up the money slots, as people would not have to pay — it would just be for the ticket.

Councillors were clearly cautious about the need for such machines, in light of the battles surrounding free parking in the town in recent years.

Ms Greig said: “Lots of people are complaining that they can’t park.”

Mayor, Rob Rotchell said the council currently has no formal way of noting how long people have been parked. Council staff are able to put a letter on vehicles, but it is down to an assumption that that driver has overstayed the time limit.

“Car parking issues are red hot. How do we enforce the parking problems in Churchfield Car Park? We all know how sensitive this one can be.”

Cllr Claire Hewlett said: “We all know that some of our traffic congestion is due to people illegally parking on double yellow lines. The only way to stop that happening is to start some sort of order so that it’s a no stopping order.”

Cllr Hewlett said she had no idea how to progress with this idea, but it would stop people from parking on the lines between certain times.

Cllr Shirley Goodman said that one particular driver parks on the double yellow lines outside Spar on a Thursday with a disabled badge, and causes a lot of traffic congestion.

Cllr Rotchell suggested that the council talk with Oliver Jones, the area manager for Cormac, to find out how they stand, legally.

“Mike Dodds [Camelford Police] has said parking issues are now no longer police responsibility. He’s come to meetings and said it’s nothing to do with us, we need a warden. We spoke about that and it was outside of what we could afford.”

Cllr Hewlett also suggested the use of number recognition cameras, and these could be enforced remotely.

The council is to make a few inquiries as to how to progress, and will continue discussions at a future meeting.