Residents in Perranporth are calling for more to be done to stop “ridiculous” parking in the resort during the holiday season. They say it has got so bad that emergency vehicles have been obstructed, with both tourists and blue badge holders being blamed for blocking streets.

The matter has become such a talking point that the parish chairman has taken to Facebook to scotch “incorrect information” and outline his council’s position, which includes an aspiration to have red lines at certain points in the resort.

One resident posted: “I know it’s too late for this summer but does the council have any influence on traffic management/street parking enforcement so we can try to address the ridiculous parking seen recently throughout Perranporth?” Another added: “It’s gone beyond an inconvenience, it’s fully dangerous if emergency vehicles can’t get around.”

“It seems to be a standing joke that we only see traffic wardens when the schools go back after the summer holidays,” wrote a local, while another said: “I appreciate the wardens are not under local control but maybe the councillors know who to speak to?”

Perranporth resident Arthur Sherry added: “I witnessed the coastguard on a shout finding it hard to get past vehicles. I want a proper meeting held with locals businesses and even Cornwall Council and emergency services’ representatives in the memorial hall, not three minutes in the parish council office.”

Perranzabuloe Parish Council chairman Cllr Alan Bowers has now entered the debate, saying: “I want to clarify and confirm our position regarding parking within the parish. There have been numerous Facebook posts on the problems recently with lots of incorrect information.

“The parish council has to use Cornwall Council traffic enforcement officers. We are not allowed to employ private firms to undertake enforcement. We employ Cornwall Council’s parking enforcement team to patrol only our car parks. These are at Droskyn, Tywarnhayle Square, Bolenna Park and Goonhavern Park.

“The parish council has no say or control on street parking within the parish. This is the responsibility of Cornwall Council’s parking enforcement. The visits we pay for of the enforcement officers are for the same duration of time in the summer, winter, spring and autumn. Numerous comments have been said saying they are not here in peak season but return in the quieter periods to catch locals, totally incorrect.”

Cllr Bowers added: “The street parking issues on the double yellow lines at Beach Road, St George’s Hill, Liskey Hill, etc, are all caused by disabled blue badge holders. The law states that they can park for three hours on double yellow lines if it is safe and doesn’t cause an obstruction. I am sure you all have your thoughts and views on if they cause an obstruction. Please report to Cornwall Council traffic enforcement if you want anything to change.”

A resident commented: “It is not true that it is only blue badgers on Beach Road. The road is frequently clogged with tourist parkers who probably don’t want to pay parking fees. This is a major obstruction problem and traffic wardens are just too thin on the ground here as they are in other areas. It is a county council [Cornwall Council] problem, that is the problem! They have been underfunding in this respect for more than a decade.”

Another said: “Surely it would make more sense to eliminate the winter patrols which would at least allow double the patrols in the summer when frankly it would be more relevant to the chaos we see during this period. You could go even further and stop spring and autumn which would then see a four-fold in summertime patrols.”

Perranzabuloe parish councillor Peter Gaisford responded to residents concerns that “sadly the PPC does not have influence over Cornwall Highways or Cornwall Council. PPC has asked for red lines especially where the bus turns at the promenade in Beach Road. Cornwall Highways told PPC there are no red lines in the whole of Cornwall and they have no plans to change that position”.

Cllr Bowers told us that Reform UK councillor Louise Blackman, who represents Perranporth at Cornwall Council, was raising the issue with the unitary authority. He said the parish council was pushing for double yellow kerb markings, which would “really help alleviate the problem”.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “The council is aware of parking issues in our coastal towns during the peak season and we carried out additional patrols accordingly where possible whilst maintaining key routes in our busy towns and city. Officers visited Beach Road in Perranporth 76 times during July and August, issuing 17 PCNs.

“Red line markings indicate a red route clearway, which is typically used in metropolitan areas such as London or Manchester who have been granted the necessary powers to implement such orders. They are not appropriate for rural locations, as they could negatively affect nearby businesses by prohibiting loading and unloading, as well as impact bus services that frequently use this section.

“That said, we are happy to explore possible solutions to this matter directly with the parish and will be contacting them in due course.”