A CAMPAIGNER estimates businesses in Newquay town centre will lose £1.2million in trade a year if plans to remove parking bays get the green light.

Dirk Parker, the owner of K2 gym, has spoken out following a business impact study concluding Cliff Road businesses would lose 6.4 per cent of trade by turning 19 short term parking spaces into a cycle lane.

Cornwall Council proposes to go ahead with plans to convert the three bays outside Morrisons Daily, Dominoes and the Old Factory Shop as part of the Mid Cornwall Metro scheme despite a barrage of objection from the community, which includes the Save Cliff Road parking campaign receiving more than 1,000 signatures.

Shop owners and residents would like to see the unitary authority implement an alternative cycle route put forward by Newquay BID, which would see the cycle lane turn off down Edgcumbe Avenue. The route would connect with Newquay Junior Academy and the existing pathway by the train station but the project delivery team at Cornwall Council says the alternative route would make the scheme “more dangerous.”

Mr Parker said: “The business impact assessment on the impact to loss of free parking on Cliff Road has concluded. The conclusion is that businesses on Cliff Road will lose 6.4 per cent a year in trade. We estimate Cliff Road businesses do £20m a year in trade. “The removal of the parking spaces will cost Cliff Road businesses £1.2m a year.

“At a recent stakeholder meeting to discuss the report, Cormac refused to share the report or its conclusions until after the meeting and instead declared to the stakeholders that the report showed support and "economic resilience" and yet we will lose £1.2m a year.”

Cornwall Council, which commissioned the Business Impact Assessment (BIA) following feedback from the local business community about the loss of the parking spaces on Cliff Road, says the study shows the footfall is not “heavily dependent” on the parking spaces.

The assessment stated: “Whilst on-street parking spaces play a role in supporting local businesses located along this road…high-level analysis indicates that footfall is not heavily dependent on car parking spaces in Cliff Road.”

“Overall, there is a significant net gain in parking within the town...[This is] expected to improve accessibility for visitors and residents, and... make it easier for customers to access local businesses in the area, including those located on Cliff Road.”

The unitary authority is now consulting residents and businesses on its latest plans, which include removing the parking spaces despite the outcome of the study. The plan is to widen the current footways on Cliff Road with a dedicated segregated cycle lane, and a new pedestrian crossing built outside Rebellion.

The bus stops will be improved and extended and the loading bays relocated. There will be more space for drivers to park their cars, with a new car park, which will be free from 4pm to 9am and during the winter, and extended free parking at Newquay Railway Station, 20 minutes to 30 minutes.

Free on-street parking bays outside Wetherspoons including three dedicated disabled parking bays and on Oakleigh Terrace will allow parking of up to an hour.

Cornwall Council has shared designs with businesses and residents about changes to the roads around Newquay’s Station quarter and made changes to the plans to incorporate feedback received.

The consultation on its latest plans runs until Friday, November 7.

Cllr Dan Rogerson, Cornwall Council cabinet member for transport, said: “These proposals aim not only to make the area safer for all road users, but also provide a welcoming gateway to Newquay. Research has shown the value of the ‘pedestrian pound’ in revitalising high streets and how infrastructure changes such as these can help create a place where people want to spend their time.

“I hope residents and businesses can see how the proposals have evolved as we have taken on board their feedback.”

Mid Cornwall Metro is a £57m investment to upgrade the current rail links between four of Cornwall’s largest towns: Newquay, St Austell, Truro, and Falmouth/Penryn. It will help residents better connect to employment, education and key services.

The consultation can be found at https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/newquay-active-travel