COUNCILLORS in South East Cornwall have reacted angrily to the decision of Cornwall Council's cabinet to double the cost of first hour car parking across the region from the beginning of April.

At last week's cabinet meeting, Cllr Graeme Hicks, who is the portfolio holder for parking, proposed an increase in car park charges for the first hour in Gunnislake, Callington, Millbrook, Saltash, Liskeard and Torpoint to 40p — twice the current charge. 

This was despite the protests of councillors from those communities that such a 'massive' increase would have a devastating effect on the viability of town centres.

Cornwall Council's parking policy panel had recommended an increase from 20p to 30p after the council had initially proposed a 50p first charge hour across Cornwall. Cabinet members said increasing the fee in South East Cornwall to 40p was a 'compromise'.

Speaking after the vote, Callington councillor Andrew Long said doubling the charge was not a compromise:

'This is yet another blow to the people of Callington and South East Cornwall. The cabinet has failed to understand that this 100% increase in charges could be the death knell for the viability of town centres across the region. 

'It has also gone against the proposals of the cross party panel on this issue. 

'The members accepted the special circumstances here in the East but sadly the cabinet failed to take this into account,' he said.

Mr Long added that the only good thing to come out of the meeting was an acceptance that the cabinet needed to re-address the question of whether Cornwall council's car parks should be run as a commercial business or a public service. 

'It is vital that this decision is made before any more meetings of the parking policy panel take place,' he added.