FEARS have been raised businesses and residents will be detrimentally impacted following the decision to axe free winter parking at a number of key council car parks in Newquay and Watergate Bay.

Cornwall Council’s cabinet voted to start charging at Albany Road, Dane Road, Tregunnel Hill and Wategate car parks despite a scrutiny committee voting against the proposals earlier this month.

Cornwall councillors, Newquay Town Council, Newquay BID and businesses spoke out against the plans due to concerns local people will be putting off visiting the areas.

Mayor Cllr Drew Creek argued the Newquay area council car parks should remain free due to the amount of car park income the area provides to the council coffers in the summer.

The cabinet did agree not to charge for winter parking at Belmont car park as originally planned and the conversion of Tolcarne Road coach park to a long stay car park, which will provide up to 80 additional spaces in the Narrowcliff area.

Cllr Creek said: “I’ve been clear with Cornwall Council officers and the portfolio holder for transport that Newquay is used as a cash cow in the summer months by the council making millions from our car parks which we as residents tolerate.

“But there is an informal covenant with residents that this means we get our town back in the winter and get to enjoy our beaches and spaces for free such as Watergate Bay car park.

“Residents use this site for walking, exercise with their dogs and surfing taking this away is just not in the spirit of that and in essentially a surf and lifestyle tax on residents.”

Newquay BID manager Mark Warren said: “It is really disappointing.

“I believe Cornwall Council look at car park charge increases as low hanging fruit. It is easy pickings to fill a monetary gap.

“Businesses already have to deal with the huge negative impact of the government’s business rates and national insurance increases. Now businesses and residents will have the negative impact from Cornwall Council charging at car parks in the winter months.

“I’m concerned Cornwall Council are doing what they want once again without contacting businesses.”

Newquay central Cornwall councillor Joanna Kenny added: “The bad news is that I could not win that argument for the other car parks affected in my division, Albany and Dane.

“I believe there will be minimal winter income coming from them, but we need to do a winter season to prove that.”

Dirk Parker, who owns K2 Gym in Cliff Road, added: “We had three years fighting to prevent the parking bays being removed in Cliff Road.

“Cornwall Council stood in front of us and said you don’t need the bays as you have free parking at Albany Road car park in the winter.

“One of the key things in the business impact assessment was that there is free parking at Albany Road and now they have started charging.

“Newquay BID is working hard to push the high street but it’s like going one step forward and two steps back.”