THE issue of people parking on grass verges in Launceston was raised at the town council last week — but councillors said the problem is not confined to just one area of the town.

Councillors heard at their meeting last Tuesday that the Hurdon Residents’ Association says parking has been an issue on the grass verge along Hurdon Road.

Cllr John Harris said Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Launceston South, Jade Farrington, contacted the council’s highways department.

She was told by a highways spokesperson: “We don’t encourage the placing of stones or boulders within the limits of the highway due to the liability issues if third party damage should occur. The only possible solution would be to approach the town council to see if they wanted to undertake some planting to the area to stop the parking.”

The spokesperson said while the town council would have to fund any planting, he would be able to grant a licence for planting and maintenance.

Cllr Harris said at last week’s town council meeting: “One of our members wasn’t very happy because the verge outside the flats and opposite Maunder’s is parked on quite often, especially by some large 4x4 vehicles.

“If we had some bushes or plants there they would probably get trashed anyway.”

Mayor Cllr Brian Hogan said: “Personally I think there are lots of issues around the town where people are parking on pavements and verges.”

Cllr Dave Gordon said: “I fully appreciate what Hurdon’s going through but it isn’t just Hurdon — it’s Trecarrell, Coronation Park, Broad Park — anywhere there is a piece of grass.

“This is Cormac shrugging their shoulders saying they can’t do anything about it when it’s their responsibility. County need to get their act together.”

The Cornwall Councillors present at the meeting were asked to look into the potential of a traffic/parking order that could result in fines for anyone parking on the grass.

Cllr Paul O’Brien said: “It should be a question to the civilian enforcement office as to whether that is an offence they police because if it’s not, it’s got to be down to the police.”

Cllr Steven Phillips, who represents the town council within police liaison, was asked to contact PC Steve Stoppard, neighbourhood beat manager for Launceston, for further advice on the issue.