Residents of Falmouth and Penryn are being asked for their thoughts over parking issues in the two towns as part of a council survey which could lead the way to residents' parking zones being introduced.

Cornwall Council has launched the series of parking surveys aimed at not only residents, but also businesses and visitors. Falmouth and Penryn, along with seven other towns, have been selected to identify what issues people may have with parking; whether it is finding a space to park outside their house or how on-street parking is managed in the town centre.

The parking review was mentioned at a meeting of Falmouth Town Council's finance and general purposes committee on Monday when its chair, Candy Atherton, said: "It's a residents' review to see if there's support for annual residents' parking for £25.

"I have been contacted in the last year by residents who are in support of this where there are lots of HMOs (houses of multiple occupation) with three to four cars. I would urge everyone to take part - whether for or against. It's up to the people - if they feel strongly they need to spend three minutes filling in the form."

Councillor Steve Eva said: "My experience of this is that it's best left to the people who it's going to affect. If we tried to please one person, it will upset another."

He said if restrictions are brought in in Kimberley Park Road, the problem will shift to Killigrew Street and then to Budock Terrace. "I think it's something we should let the people of Falmouth get on with and we as a town council should listen to them and go from there."

Cornwall Council wants to hear what people's views are not only on residents parking in congested areas of the town, but also on street parking charges, ie the introduction of parking meters in the centre of town, and areas where yellow lines may be required.

Councillor for Penwerris, Hanna Toms, said: "I have been approached by many people who have different ideas of how parking issues should be resolved. It's important that we get this right and come up with a scheme that works for the whole of the Falmouth community."

The survey is available now and runs until February 28. The results will be used to identify parking proposals for the towns which could be implemented as early as autumn 2017. More information can be found on the council’s website, cornwall.gov.uk/parkingreview.

Paper copies will also be available at Cornwall Council one stop shops and libraries or on request by email from parkingreview@cornwall.gov.uk or by calling 0300 1234 222, and saying which of the three survey questionnaires you need – resident, business or non-resident.