PARKING charges are set to return to Churchfield car park in Camelford.

The town council published a notice stating that they propose to make a new order in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984, to be known as the Camelford Town Council (off street parking places) Order 2019.

This is to replace the former Camelford Town Council Order 2011, making a series of amendments in relation to parking in the town and Churchfield car park, which are proposed to come into effect from April 1.

The order states that for Churchfield car park, from 9am and 5pm on Monday to Saturday, up to two hours’ stay will be free, thereafter being a charge of 50p per consecutive hour.

There will be no charge from 5pm to 9am, as well as on Sundays. For yellow disabled bays, motorists will be able to park for three hours, after which there will be a charge.

Resident and business permits for the car park are £25 for an annual pass for one car, and £100 for an annual pass for additional cars.

Meanwhile, for the library car park on Fore Street, people will be able to park for free for one hour, no return three hours. The disabled bays along Market Place are free, three hours no return three hours.

These amendments come under the proposed order, and comments of objection or support are invited to be sent in writing to the town clerk, Town Hall, Market Place, Camelford, PL32 9PD, by March 13.

Members of the public have been voicing their opinions on the proposed order on social media.

Tracey Adams said: “Most shoppers won’t spend more than two hours in Camelford and those that do would be visiting the pubs after 5pm, so it won’t affect them. If Camelford Town Council plough the money back into Camelford, then great.

“I pay my tax and I don’t think this is an absurd amount to pay to park and for those residents, it’s £25 a year. People will pay to park if they think a place is worth stopping for.”

However, Sue Irsherwood, owner of the Four Seasons Cafe, a short distance away from the car park, said: “Camelford isn’t a tourist spot like Tintagel, Bude and Boscastle, so charging those who do actually visit is going to have such a negative impact. People don’t mind paying for parking if they are going to spend the day or a few hours, but not to come here, plus residents now have to buy a permit to be able to park there or pay, so it’s a loss for everyone.

“We want to bring people to Camelford and organise more for Camelford residents, but this is going to create the exact opposite!”

Deputy mayor of Camelford, Claire Hewlett, explained that the proposed order is ‘about management and the long-term maintenance of a community resource’.

She said: “It’s the final stage of a three-part process. As you know, over the last two years we’ve been looking at car park management, maintenance and ensuring space is available for people to use when they come into town. There have been two public consultations, which went to every house in Camelford — the results of which have been noted and this is the third part of that process.

“This is the legal bit — the notice has to go in the local press and the statutory bodies informed (which include Cornwall Council, Highways, police and Road Haulage Association). There is a time limit for them and the general public to respond. All the details are available on the Camelford Town Council website.”

Discussions regarding charging in the car park resurfaced at the end of 2017, when the recommendations of a car park working group were set out at a meeting of the town council.

The proposed changes followed concern that the car park was being abused by residents of the town who are without parking of their own and from people outside of the town who park their car and continue to another destination in another vehicle.

These factors were leaving few free spaces for shoppers to actually use the car park for its intended purpose.

The car park has a long history of charging issues. When the car park was purchased by the town council in 2005, car park charges were introduced to cover the maintainence and other charges.

In 2007 it was voted that the car park charges be lifted to enable shopkeepers in the town to benefit.

What are your thoughts on the proposed parking order for Camelford? Email [email protected]