A CAMPAIGN to fight for the continuation of free car parks in Calstock and Harrowbarrow has been launched ahead of a review by Cornwall Council later this month.

The council will look at all its free car parks in rural areas this year and consider whether to introduce charges.

Chairman of Calstock Parish Council John Roberts said it would be 'a disaster' if parking charges were brought in at Harrowbarrow because it would force people to park on the road.

He said: 'The car park next to the village hall is where parents park to drop their children off at the primary school and I am sure they would not pay 40p a day.

'Before the car park was built it was chaos here with cars everywhere. That will surely happen again if charges are introduced.'

It is also feared similar difficulties would happen in Calstock where parking is already a problem in the narrow streets.

Mr Roberts is keen for people to oppose any such move at this stage before it becomes a proposal: 'If we wait for the review in April it will be too late. If it becomes a proposal there will be, in my opinion, very little we can do to stop it.'

People's views are currently being sought by Cornwall Council on the cost of car parking across the county.

Headteacher of Harrowbarrow Primary School Andrew Hunt said the current questionnaire suggested car parking charges could be on the cards in rural car parks although it was not there 'in black and white'.

'I have emailed my concerns to Cornwall Council. Introducing charges at Harrowbarrow would drive parents to park in less safe places in the lanes around the school.'

Parish councillor Dick Hoile, who represents the Calstock ward, said charges were not justified at Calstock because it did not have the facilities, for example, like Gunnislake had with the doctors' surgery and shops.

'Neither do we have a fantastic amount of visitors,' he said. 'It is predominantly used by residents and I think charging would be an unfair tax on them.'

Cornwall Council's group manager for parking policy Kate Dixon said: 'Cornwall Council's parking policy advisory panel will begin a review of the council's free car parks in April.  The initial meeting will determine the criteria for the review.  The process will include consultation with appropriate stakeholders, such as parish councils, on specific car parks before any decisions are taken.

'Views about the principles behind charging are currently being sought in a stakeholder consultation which is already underway.  Cornwall Council welcomes any views that people have on charging as part of this consultation.'

People can look at the survey on Cornwall council's website at: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk">www.cornwall.gov.uk