MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition to get car parking charges reduced in Gunnislake which they say are 'destructive' to businesses.

The charges were raised in the village from 10p for the first hour to 40p two years ago, but are double that charged in Callington which has many more shops and facilities.

Residents' parking permits have also gone from less than £100 to more than £300 a year, exacerbating the problem of on-street parking in the congested village.

Postmistress Mary Taylor said: 'There are five businesses, four shops and a hairdressers in Gunnislake. If someone wants to post a couple of parcels and go to the butchers, they have to pay 40p. They are more likely to go to Callington where it is 20p or use the free car park there. These charges are so destructive to our businesses.

'The Government is saying it wants to encourage small businesses and shops but this is having the opposite effect.

'We believe the first half hour or hour should be free so people have the opportunity to pop in the shops and get their prescription from the doctors' surgery.'

The' surgery's small car park opposite the main village car park does not cater for the large population of people from Gunnislake, Calstock, St Ann's Chapel, Chilsworthy and Latchley.

In a statement, Gunnislake Health Centre said it supported a reduction in parking charges, or a free initial period of an hour: 'There is limited street parking and the practice car park is not even large enough to accommodate those working at the practice.'

Marlene Williams said with limited off-road parking for residents in that area, she, like many others, were afraid to move their cars in case someone took their parking space.

'There used to be permits for 25 residents that helped the situation, but the council have made them impossible to afford,' she said. 'Most people now try to park on the road.

'This is a small village with a huge health centre and we need the car park but the charges are ridiculous.'

Butcher Mike Kinger said he was 'disgusted' by the charges: 'Most of the time there are just three or four cars in the car park. Why should a village this size be different to a town which has lots more shops and a supermarket?'

A special case was made for Callington by county councillor Andrew Long because the town centre was struggling. He said he had campaigned for charges to be reduced in Gunnislake in the latest round of discussions in September but had been unsuccessful.

In a statement, Cornwall Council said it has asked its local members to advise on the various tariffs set in local car parks. 'In some areas such as Callington, the short term charge is cheaper than others. This is, however, balanced by longer stays being proportionately more expensive.

'A driver seeking to stay longer will find parking significantly cheaper in Gunnislake than Callington, for example £1.20 compared to £1.80 for one to two hours and £1.80 compared to £3.20 for two to three hours.

'It is the higher charges for long stays in Callington that pay for the reduced short stay charge. We do not believe in applying one uniform tariff across Cornwall and have responded to local views in setting the tariffs we have.'