A NEW parking regime is due to be put in place at a Newquay beauty spot after an ANPR system failed to stop van owners turning the area into an annual summer campsite.

Cornwall Council is in negotiations with Treveth about how the Towan Headland car park will be managed as its contract is coming to an end.

The unitary authority initially devolved the management of the car park to Treveth because the law allowed it to use camera control. The running of the car park was outsourced to private parking firm Initial Parking based in Birmingham, which brought in a pricing structure between Monday to Sunday from 5am to midnight.

There has been a barrage of criticism about the effectiveness of its ANPR system as campers sleeping in their vehicles overnight are allegedly sticking tape on their registration plates to ensure they do not receive a penalty charge notice and have caused antisocial behaviour.

Many locals have received a penalty charge notice as they are unsure what the new rules are that have been introduced.

Families struggling during the cost-of-living crisis argue the move has prevented them from being able to visit the area.

Locals have also expressed anger they can no longer be able to park up for free after 4pm and during the winter to visit Little Fistral and the headland.

Newquay Town Council discussed the issue at its meeting on Wednesday, August 6.

Pentire and Newquay Cornwall councillor Joanna Kenny said: “I have met with senior Cornwall Council management, and I understand that the private contract is nearing its end and new arrangements will be made.

“I won’t go into the number of complaints, but I can say complaints have reached our MP.

“It has not been the shining success it was reported to be.

“The current arrangements have not resolved the problems as Cornwall Council hoped they would and have hit a lot of practical difficulties, not surprising as this is the first and I hope the only outsourced car park in Newquay.”

Town councillors questioned whether Newquay Town Council could take over the running of the Towan Headland car park.

Councillor Steve Slade said: “Could the town council be part of those new arrangements?

“Could we put in an expression of interest because we have been so successful in running the South Fistral car park. Cornwall Council’s running of Towan Headland car park has been a disaster.”

Cllr Kenny replied: “Cornwall Council might be delighted by the town council taking over the Towan Headland car park.

“One hundred per cent the town council should be consulted because it is very much an interested party.

“Some of the antisocial behaviour has been aimed at our people. They are using a camera and are not following it up. The people who are obeying the rules are getting tickets which they can complain against.

“The people who want to live there are just covering up their registration number.”

Cllr Slade said: “They gaffer tape up their number plates. That system clearly does not work.

Cllr Kenny said: “I don’t think even the town council will want this car park as it’s a problem one.

“Public authorities like both Cornwall and Newquay councils are not permitted to use camera control on their car parks. I have already raised with our MP that this fairly old rule needs to be reviewed. As well as the other problem that Councils cannot escalate the fines for persistent day after day illicit street parking; frankly it’s cheaper to pay the lowest level fine than a camp site’s fees.”

Cornwall Council has been approached for comment.