COUNCIL chiefs have launched a survey to find out if residents have any issues parking near their homes in Newquay.

Cornwall Council’s public consultation is aimed at residents who do not have a driveway or dedicated parking space to inform the authority how it could address any issues.

A residents’ parking scheme could potentially be introduced depending on the findings of the survey but the council warns the scheme could cover a wider geographical area, including areas that currently do not experience significant parking issues, to prevent commuters from parking further afield.

It follows Newquay MP Noah Law and Newquay Cornwall councillors putting pressure on the authority to stage a survey as they believe it is important for local views to be heard following the problems many have highlighted about parking near their homes.

They argue “a lot” has changed since the last residents parking consultation was held in 2017, such as more people now working from home.

The ‘Residents Parking for Newquay Group’ was formed as residents believe there is “no coherent” plan in place to manage the traffic entering the town.

The group argues resident parking zones would free up spaces for people who live in the area and stop shoppers, workers and surfers from taking up all the spaces.

The parking survey states: “Are you able to park your car either outside or close to your home? Are there times when you can’t find a space and have to park further away than you’d like?

“We’ve been asked by our local Cornwall councillors in Newquay to look at on-street residential parking as it can be difficult at times on some streets for residents to find parking near their home.

“Some people have asked for resident parking schemes to be introduced.

“Resident parking schemes can be useful in areas where there are high levels of commuters or other long stay visitors parking on-street, resulting in residents being unable to park within the vicinity of their home.

“Resident parking schemes can be effective at removing non-residential long stay parking from a specific area. However, the introduction of such schemes can have impacts on neighbouring areas with those areas now experiencing higher levels of on-street parking from non-residents as well as from residents in the resident parking zone that choose not to purchase a permit.

“This is why resident parking schemes generally have to cover a wider geographical area, including areas that currently do not experience significant parking issues.

“Resident parking schemes do not guarantee a parking space for everyone - and in areas where the issue of parking is caused by the sheer volume of residents’ vehicles it may not increase the opportunity to park.

“While a resident parking scheme could be a potential option, we first want to hear from you about what the issues are. This will help us to better understand the issues and look at the best way to address them.

“The results will be used to inform future decisions regarding parking initiatives within the town.”

Tretherras Cornwall councillor Kevin Towill would like to a parking solution for the whole of the town.

Cllr Towill said: “Parking for local residents is notoriously difficult in Newquay.

“ A couple of years ago we held a consultation on residents’ parking, but unfortunately it turned into a complete disaster. Very few residents took part, and those who did were largely against the proposals, which hadn’t been properly thought through.

“I would prefer to see a solution that covers the whole town, rather than a series of localised projects that simply push the problem from one area to another.

“It’s certainly a complicated issue, but it’s one we should try to address as effectively as we can.”

The survey runs until February 7 and can be found at letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/newquay-resident-parking