A RECOMMENDATION by Cornwall Council's cabinet committee to reduce the car parking charges in Callington to 20p for the first hour has been welcomed.

A month-long consultation will now begin to see if the public supports the recommendation.

Cornwall council member for Callington Andrew Long said he was pleased by the decision by the cabinet to accept the proposals of the car parking panel to half the current charge.

Cllr Long had requested that the charges be reduced in Callington's two main car parks to help the traders.

But he warned this week that increasing the longer term figures would not provide any increase in revenue.

'I welcome the decision of the cabinet to accept the figure that I put to them, and hope that during the upcoming consultation the people and traders of the town will take part in the process and support the measures,' he said.

'The current 40p for the first hour is hitting the traders hard given the current economic situation and the free parking that Tesco can provide elsewhere in the town.

'I am, however, less happy with the decision to recommend a 3% increase across the board for all figures which will, when you take out the protection for the first hour, result in an increase of anything up to 8% on the other hour charges.

'This is a retrograde step and will do nothing to assist in protecting the viability of the town centre. I would urge the traders and public to object to this aspect in the consultation process.'

Following the consultation, the final decision of the cabinet will be in the New Year, allowing for the charges to come into effect for the 2012/13 budget period.