TRADERS in Callington are stepping up their campaign to stop a one-way system being installed in the town — they are convinced it would jeopardise their businesses.

Protest signs saying 'No Way, One Way' have been placed in many of the shop windows in Callington.

A consultation period will continue until the end of the month on three options for a traffic management plan.

Option one was the subject of a consultation last year, but there was divided opinion between the residents who supported the scheme and traders who objected.

Callington Town Council has long wanted to improve the town centre for shoppers and motorists and a one-way system has been talked about for many years.

The opportunity came up when Tesco was built in Callington and £140,000 was given by the supermarket as a contribution to enhance the town.

But traders said this week they would rather the money was spent on something other than a traffic scheme which they felt would have little benefit in Callington.

Sue Wallis from Colin's Bridal Fashions in Church Street, a road that would be one-way under two of the options, said a one-way system has been trialled on two occasions in the past and had been 'a complete disaster'.

'Today, shopping is all about convenience and here we rely on people dropping in, whether it is to pick up a pasty or buy a newspaper.

'If people have to drive around the town to get here they will not bother. They want to be able to come up and go down the street.

'We have some really good award winning businesses here — why jeopardise businesses and jobs at a time when everyone is worried about their livelihood?'

Some parts of the scheme have been very popular, including installing a pedestrian crossing near the police station, but traders say that other potential improvements, such as creating extra on-street parking, had not materialised.

Owner of Langmans Restaurant Gail Buttery, who is also a member of the Callington Traders' Association, said an alternative use should be found for the Tesco money that would generate some income for the town and offset some of the parking charges.

'We should not spend it just because it is burning a hole in our pockets,' she said.

The three options for Callington drawn up by Cornwall Council officers will be on display in Callington Town Hall until July 31.

Cornwall councillor for Callington Andrew Long said it was written into the legal agreement between the planning authority and Tesco that the community contribution money would be spent on a one-way system.

He said:?'We want all the people of Callington to take part in this consultation so the county council and town council can come to a decision in the end.'

He said people could chose one of the options or put comments at the end if they did not like any of the options.