THE ‘Just Park’ scheme was presented to Camelford Town Council recently, as a potential way to create a more ‘convenient’ option for people to pay for their parking tickets in the town.

Cllr Alan Burgis brought the scheme to the attention of his peers at the meeting of full council on Thursday, September 5. ‘Just Park’ allows people to pay for their parking ticket on their mobile phone, with each transaction costing ‘15p plus 3%’.

Cllr Burgis said: “It’s the convenience, drivers find, when they do not have cash to pay for parking. I think it would make people more likely to visit (Camelford) and introduce the town to drivers not familiar with the area.”

Mayor, Claire Hewlett, noted that since the car parking charges in Churchfield car park were introduced in June, the town council has generated an income of £1,298.50.

Town clerk Esther Greig said: “The statistics show that one and a half people stay all day so it would be providing a service for one person. We have not had anybody request this service.”

Opening discussions, it seemed the idea was not one the town council would be taking on anytime soon. Cllr Stephen Bond said: “We live in Camelford where you don’t get any signal when you get into the town.”

Cllr Andy Shaw said: “I can’t see what all the fuss is about (Just Park). There isn’t a demand for it. If you can’t do what you need to do (to meet the two hours’ free parking time in Camelford) in two hours then you’re off anyway!”

Agreeing with Cllr Bond’s earlier point, Cllr Lauren Rathbone said: “You can get phone signal in the car park but as soon as you’re in the town you can’t get signal, meaning you wouldn’t know when your time was up!”

Cllr Burgis said that 5G is being rolled out now, but this didn’t tempt councillors any further.

Cllr Burgis said: “They do a six-month trial period starting from April. They promised us they will give us detailed spreadsheets on it.”

Deputy mayor, Rob Rotchell, suggested bringing the matter back to council in six months’ time, when they could review if there was an evident need for a Just Park service.