A Falmouth councillor has spoken to Nub News about the recent charge increase to Falmouth car parks.

Jayne Kirkham, Cornwall Councillor for Falmouth Smithick, told Nub News:

"In Falmouth, last year and this year, myself and the town and BID manager have a meeting with Parking Officers at Cornwall Council after discussion with the traders, to try to come up with the best solution for Falmouth within the confines of Cornwall Council's financial parameters.

"This initiative has given us some leeway that other places in Cornwall have not had. However, for our high street which has been struggling with the third year of ongoing works in the town centre, more help is needed.

"Rents are high on commercial property and business rates are relatively inflexible as the rates are set by central government's Valuation Office, rather than being locally controlled.

"We are hoping that the Council's Vitality of High Streets Inquiry, amongst other initiatives, will lead to much needed financial help becoming available to Falmouth Town centre for regeneration and other projects.

"But this will take time and in the meantime, our town centres could do with all the help they can get."

The recent decision by Cornwall Council to increase car park charges has been met with fierce disapproval from Falmouth residents.

The decision was made to increase the fees by 1.5% for the next year. This is applicable to short-term and long-term parking charges across all of the council's car parks.

Residents spoke out on social media.

Louise Starkey, the owner of De Wynns Coffee House, said:

"A complete disconnect of what's really happening in our town. Ridiculous, greedy and mean."

Rebecca Heane stated:

"Feel like we're banging our heads against a brick wall! Our council is so short-sighted, who are these people who make these decisions?"

See our previous article on car parking charges by pressing the red button below.