BIKERS in St Austell were threatening to barricade the town's new multi-storey car park after being banned from using it on Saturday.

Angry Stuart Astle, road captain of the Swamp Dogs Motorbike Club, said he'd do whatever it took to allow bikers to park there.

"I'm fuming," said Stuart, of St Dennis. "We've waited six years for the new town centre and now because of a stupid rule we can't use it.

"We do a hell of a lot of fund-raising for St Austell so to be kicked out of the town is a disgrace.

Block

"We'll bring bikers down to block the car park if we have to."

But after the St Austell Guardian intervened this week, APCOA Parking, the company awarded the 35-year contract to run the car park, said bikers would now be allowed in.

Stuart, known as 'Grumpy' in motorbike circles, said he'd never been forbidden from using a car park before.

"We use the multi-storeys in Truro and in Plymouth," he said. "We always used the old multi-storey in St Austell before so I never even thought there would be a problem.

"On Saturday I came to have a look at the new town centre, pulled in to the car park and the security guard turned me around again.

"Yes, we could park on the road, but we prefer using car parks because they're secure.

"Banning us would be discriminating against bikers. We have disabled motorbikers in our club. They couldn't walk from elsewhere in the town.

"I'd spoken to the mayor and contacted the Motorcycle Action Group before this U-turn was made."

On Monday APCOA said: "APCOA is pleased to confirm that motorcycles can park within the centre car park and will be charged the current tariff.

"Motorcyclists are asked to enter the car park and at the entry barrier take a ticket and pay for their parking at the payment machines located in the car park and centre."