Workers painting yellow lines along Falmouth seafront to stop people parking up overnight say their work is being delayed waiting for people to move their cars.

Yellow lines are being painted on Cliff Road between Gyllyngvase Road and Castle Drive; Queen Mary Road (west side) and Cliff Road.

The new parking restrictions are being introduced for no overnight parking from midnight to 6am with signage being put on metal posts.

However the workers painting the lines say that it will take a while, probably about a week, as cars are parked in the way. Weather could also play its part too.

The restrictions are supposed come into force from the start of next week following a public consultation by Cornwall Council.

The decision to introduce parking restrictions along the seafront roads was made after a large rise in the number of van dwellers parking up for long periods of time prompting concerns over sanitation.

Falmouth Packet: Local residents Trevor and Maureen on Cliff RoadLocal residents Trevor and Maureen on Cliff Road (Image: Matthew Morgan)

Local resident Trevor believes "designated parking areas" should be provided and has concerns about the lack of toilet facilities, that leads to an "over the wall" culture.

He said painting the lines is just moving the problem elsewhere.

"People unfortunate to have to live in a van, where are they going to end up? When the parking order becomes enforced they are only going to move a couple of streets away."

His partner Maureen said: "There are approximately 20 vans up on the Moat, for which we do not have any issues with but, as Trevor mentioned, there are no toilets with the closest being at Castle Beach."

Falmouth Packet: Ben Moneypenny in his van parked on Cliff RoadBen Moneypenny in his van parked on Cliff Road (Image: Matthew Morgan)

Ben Moneypenny, who was parked up on Falmouth seafront and has lived in his van for over a year, says he visits Falmouth regularly but he would be deterred from coming back by the new parking restrictions.

He said seafront wasn't essential for him to park, as he will not park in one place too long because he does not want to "annoy people".

He said whenever he parks there there has always been plenty of space and the vans are not taking away spaces from local people.

"I have never seen anyone leave a mess or any antisocial behaviour,” he said. "The practical aspect I find really easy, I was worried about toilets and showers, but actually found this really easy.

“Here for instance there is a toilet just there [Castle Beach] which seems to be open until about 4 - 4:30pm. There are public toilets next to Tesco, you get to know where all the public toilets are located.

"I can see the residents’ concerns about toilets, but I think these sorts of things, make more sense to discuss, rather than say everyone has to go."

Falmouth Packet: Ben says his van attracts unwanted attentionBen says his van attracts unwanted attention (Image: Matthew Morgan)

Ben says he has heard people say things when they pass-by, creating a constant feeling of being unwelcomed in society.

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"It’s not a very nice feeling, society doesn't want you to be part of it and everywhere you go people will move you on but nobody will tell you where you can go."

He expressed his concerns for students living in vans as they are normally quite low waged or not waged and said it’s not an easy life with tuition fees and cost to live somewhere every year.

Falmouth Packet: Ben with his van on Cliff RoadBen with his van on Cliff Road (Image: Matthew Morgan)

He said he won't be able to come to Falmouth anymore because he has nowhere else to park. He said he enjoys spending time here as a lot of his friends live in Falmouth.