BUSINESSES in North Cornwall claim they have been affected by Cornwall Council's new parking charges, and many think there is worse to come.

Employers in Launceston hit out angrily after the changes.

The authority increased parking charges and imposed a maximum stay of three hours on Cornwall Council's town centre car parks.

Sasha Gillard-Loft, Cornwall councillor for Launceston South, said traders were losing business because of the new regulations and urged the council to carry out an urgent rethink.

"A number of local traders have got in touch with me to complain about the new charges and hours," she said. "In particular, they complain that new restrictions mean people cannot park for more than three hours in the town centre car parks."

Concerned

Social enterprise Liberty House Community Interest Company (CIC) is home to Jericho's café and restaurant which hosts conferences and live music nights.

Businessman Roddy Statton, director of the CIC, said he was concerned about the changes which made hosting conferences difficult because visitors could only park locally for three hours. "Since the council stopped people parking for more than three hours in the town centre car parks we have had people saying how difficult it is for them to use our venue," he said.

"We are very concerned about the effect it is going to have on the work of Liberty House. People are not prepared to park up a steep hill the other side of town.

"I have no idea why Cornwall Council felt the need to change a system which had been working perfectly well for many years."

Councillor Gillard-Loft said the council was meant to be promoting local businesses but the blunder would have the opposite effect.

"This change isn't even about money but about a bureaucratic 'one size fits all' definition of a short stay car park," she said.

"Cornwall Council should not wait until next year to review the new rules. They should accept they made a mistake and change them now."

Charges

The increase in charges is sending motorists to park their vehicles in residential streets in Bude.

Nicky Chopek, secretary of Bude Chamber of Commerce, said the beach car park was now empty in the mornings.

"I bought an annual ticket for £190 in March before the charges went up. The next one could be £600. People won't pay it and they are parking in the streets.

"I think the council has shot itself in the foot," she said.

Chamber chairman Peter La Broye said he thought it would take a year to see how the increases affected trade in the town.

Peter Templar, of the Riverside Hotel at Boscastle, said coaches now faced an increase from £1.50 to £10.

"We have had drivers in saying their bosses are going to stop their coaches coming to Boscastle because it is too dear. I believe Boscastle has the highest car park income in North Cornwall, but they will kill the golden goose," Mr Templar said.