PARKING problems are making life "an abject misery" for a growing number of Camborne residents, their Cornwall councillor has claimed.

Stuart Cullimore said higher parking charges and the introduction of 12-month season tickets meant motorists were abandoning the town's car park and heading for the nearest side street instead.

Now Mr Cullimore is to meet a group of disgruntled residents at The Glebe tomorrow in an effort to get something done about the situation.

"It's a problem that's getting worse," Mr Cullimore said. "The lives of many people in Camborne have become an abject misery."

He is investigating complaints from residents at West and East Charles Street, The Glebe, Trelawny Court and Tolcarne Street.

Householders complain of being blocked in by drivers parking across their driveways and spaces in side streets being snapped up by motorists who work in the town.

Cars parked on both sides of narrow streets are also making access impossible for emergency vehicles, they say.

Mr Cullimore said the problem had become worse because of planning guidelines that stipulated a minimum of just half a parking space for each new property and Cornwall Council's decision to bring in 12-month season tickets for car parks, which town residents couldn't afford.

Desperate

"The result is a desperate lack of parking in Camborne and I can only see the situation getting worse, especially as these days most families own two cars," he said.

Mr Cullimore called for Cornwall Council to open up at least some of the long-stay car park at Rosewarne for all-day parking and to bring back three-month season tickets.

"Many people simply cannot afford to buy a parking ticket for a whole year," he said.

A petition which Mr Cullimore has received from residents at The Glebe complains: "We are so frustrated at the way other people park in our road with no consideration. Why should we have to park a half-mile away?"