PROPOSALS for a 150% rise in car parking charges in South East Cornwall could have a 'devastating effect on the fragile local economy,' warned a Callington councillor this week.

Andrew Long, who sits on Cornwall Council's parking panel, has reacted with disappointment to draft proposals for the new car parking charges for the county.

If the proposals go ahead the first hour charge in the council's car parks across the county will be set at 50p from May 2011 — in South East Cornwall or the former Caradon district it is currently 20p. Two-hour charging will rise from £1.20 to £1.70 or £1.80, depending on the town.

Cllr Long, a Mebyon Kernow member, said: 'I am deeply concerned by the apparent lack of understanding of the fragile nature of the local economy in South East Cornwall and the effect that the first hour's car parking charges could have on the already struggling town centres.

'It appears that the officers have been given a figure to reach, which would net the council £11.8-million across Cornwall as a whole. What they have failed to take into account is the potential drop in usage when people see the new charges.

'This could knock a big hole in the finances which, despite us warning them of the potential result, they have ignored when working out the figures.

I would like to call upon all of the South East Cornwall councillors to take part in the consultation process to press home the concern for the economy of our area,' he added.

Mr Long said with the old Caradon area having had lower car parking charges than the rest of the county a rise like this would hit the towns especially hard. It would be difficult to compete with the large out-of-town supermarkets which had free car parking.

His concerns were echoed by the Liberal Democrat member for Liskeard South and Dobwalls Mike George: 'It has become apparent that car parks are being treated as a revenue stream.

'The regeneration of towns, especially already hard hit market towns, will suffer under these new charges'

It was proposed also to increase the number of hours for charging up to and including Sundays but this was rejected by the panel.

'The result of the new round of charges due to take effect in 2011 will have a detrimental effect on our already overstretched infrastructure. People will vote with their purses.'

The proposals will now be sent for consultation to the 123 members of Cornwall Council before being re-considered by the Policy Panel after the summer.