Thousands ask council to drop car park sale plans

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition which has asked Cornwall Council not to privatise one of its popular car parks.

Kitto's Field in Porthleven is one of 19 car parks the council has agreed can be leased to its arms-length company Corserv Solutions Ltd as part of cost-cutting measures.

A petition to oppose the decision said new ownership would introduce number plate recognition cameras which campaigners said would not benefit the community.

Cornwall Council previously said the decentralisation of the assets would be more effective if run by town and parish councils, environmental or heritage trusts, and the private sector.

"This system will be a 24 hours, seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year operation to maximise the monies taken," said Jona Jones, the Porthleven resident who started the petition.

"Kitto's Field car park is right in the centre of town and next to our only supermarket-style shop, which has only four parking spaces.

"There are no advantages to the community in this money-making proposal, therefore not benefiting Porthleven at all." he added.

Other car parks affected by the plans include Watergate Bay, near Newquay, with 400 spaces, and Trebarwith Strand, near Tintagel with 272 spaces, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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