TRURO City Council has reported an ‘issue’ concerning vans ‘camping’ on the road next to one of Cornwall’s most popular parks.

A growing problem with camper vans and other holiday vehicles parked up next to Boscawen Park at Malpas, Truro, has been noted by the city council, which has reported the matter to Cornwall Council.

A local resident said: “The situation at Boscawen Park with people essentially free-camping is disgraceful.” The woman, who did not want to be named, added that she had seen one van owner empty their toilet directly into the drain next to the park, which contains a busy children’s play area.

She added: “This isn’t a campsite – it’s a public open space meant to be enjoyed by the people who live in or visit Truro.

“Every time I walk around the park, there are vans parked up long-term, people cooking, living out of them and doing whatever they please.

“The worst was seeing someone empty their toilet straight into one of the drains. It’s not safe, it’s not hygienic and, honestly, it feels really unsettling walking past some of these vans wondering who’s inside.

“If this were any other group setting up camp in a car park, there’d be outrage. Yet this is happening right next to a beautiful park where children and dogs play. It’s just not acceptable.”

The vans are taking up spaces that could be used by families visiting the park.

After approaching the city council to see if it was aware of a problem, town clerk David Rodda said: “We are aware of the situation with camper vans on Malpas Road – it is an issue we recognise. However, as Malpas Road is a public highway we have no jurisdiction over it and cannot therefore take any action ourselves.

“We do report the issues to Cornwall Council on a regular basis, but at this time I am not aware of what action they plan to take to address the issue.”

Members of the public who are concerned about the issue are urged to contact Cornwall Council.

Cornwall Council has been contacted to see if it is doing anything about the problem, but no response has yet been received.