Cornwall Cornwall proposes country park parking charges

If approved, parking charges at Tehidy would cost a minimum of £2

Nearly 9,000 people have signed a petition to prevent parking charges from being introduced at a popular country park in Cornwall.

Cornwall Council has proposed charging for parking at Tehidy Woods, near Camborne, at South Drive, North Cliffs and East Lodge.

Charges could apply from 08:00 and 17:00 at a minimum of £2 for two hours.

Council leader Linda Taylor said she and the cabinet portfolio holder had no knowledge of the proposals.

'Hurting the poorest'

Lucie Sominka, from Redruth, who said she visited regularly, said the proposal would affect the poorest in the community.

"They are hurting people who do not have a lot of money.

"The area we live in is very deprived, so it's one of the few things that poor people can do without being hit in the pocket," she said.

Pensioner Iris Collier said she would not have met so many "amazing" people if it was not for the free parking.

She said: "When you're on your own, I go out every day and there are important things that I received from those people.

"There is one gentleman that phones me every day. I only met him in Tehidy Woods, he looks after me and I wouldn't have had that if I'd had to have paid for a car park."

Tehidy is known for its wildlife, including ducks, swans and squirrels

Conservative council leader Linda Taylor described the situation as "very embarrassing".

She said: "This came as an absolute surprise to the portfolio holder at the weekend. I would be absolutely honest we had no idea.

"It's come in from someone at Cornwall Council and we were not advised this was coming in."

A consultation under way into the planned charges is due to end on 6 March and its results published on 22 March.

New charges for car parks at Ponsandane in Penzance, Gwithian Towans and Permarin in Penryn are also included in the proposals.

Mrs Taylor said the council would welcome people feeding into the consultation.