PROPOSALS to increase parking charges in Callington by 150% were slammed by traders and residents at a meeting in the town last week, writes Sam Hughes.

Cornwall Council has recommended a 50p first hour charge across the whole county, which will mean a 30p increase in Callington, and traders and residents were invited to the meeting to make their views known about the charges to the local transport officer and Cornwall Council's cabinet member for highways.

Sue Wallis, representing Collins of Callington and Trewartha, Gregory and Doidge, said: 'We recently lost nine shops in this town, if this goes ahead, we will lose more — people will naturally go to Tesco where they can park for free.

'You're saying you're increasing prices to raise income but if no-one parks there because of the increase, where's the money going to come from?

'We've already had a massive hit from Tesco, isn't it about time Highways gave us a break?'

Chris Mercer, from Archway Dental Surgery, said: 'Parking charges are not going to create revenue, it is going to kill small businesses in the town.'

It was suggested at the meeting that the £145,000 community contribution from Tesco currently earmarked for town centre improvements, including a one-way system, should instead be used to buy a piece of land for a car park where people could park for free for half an hour.

Cornwall Council member for Callington Andrew Long said there was a legal document stating exactly what the money must be used for: 'As a legal document the wording is very precise. If we want to change the wording it needs to go back to be legally done.

'It isn't impossible, it just means there is a legal hurdle. That money can still potentially be used elsewhere, but you need to know exactly what you want to change it to.'

Speaking this time as a member of the public, Mr Long added: 'The only place in Cornwall to have a first hour price rise is the old Caradon area. Is that fair to have one place with a price rise?'

Graeme Hicks, cabinet member for highways, transportation and planning, suggested that if traders were convinced parking was key to funding their businesses, they should set up a scheme giving money back to customers for parking if they spent in their shops.

But traders claimed they could not afford to give money back to customers.

Mr Hicks said: 'The overall charge period will actually be reduced. Someone could park at 3pm, pay 50p and stay until the shops close. By asking for reduced prices you are asking for other towns to subsidise you and that's not fair.

'I'm not convinced with your arguments. You've got no hard evidence to suggest that if charges go up it would make any difference.

'It's unfair for this area to be treated differently to others. When you have got a unitary authority, you've got to expect to be treated the same.'

Steve Pridham, of Pridham's TV shop said: 'I'm very annoyed. We're not the same as other towns in Cornwall — we're not a holiday town.'

One member of the public said to get hard evidence to show that the charges would make a difference would mean that the damage would already have been done: 'I was led to believe this meeting was part of the consultation process but you seem to have made your mind up already.'

The parking policy panel was due to meet Tuesday, after which they will make their final recommendations to Mr Hicks. He will make his recommendations to the cabinet in January.