Parking restrictions will 'kill' Mylor sports society (From Falmouth Packet)

Parking restrictions will 'kill' Mylor sports society

3:50pm Friday 1st June 2012 in News

PLANS to introduce car parking restrictions on the road leading to Mylor Harbour could spell the end for a local sports society.

Members of Nankersey Rowing Club say their members, many of whom are students, will not be able to afford to pay the charges.

The club had lobbied the council to try and get the decision changed, but the double yellow lines are due to be painted and enforced on Penarrow Hill from Monday, June 18.

Anne Oliver, chairman of the club, said: “The views of club members have been ignored and the lines go down next month.

“There are no positives in this action, in a year that has seen the Olympic Torch visit Falmouth promoting sport.

“Ben Ainslie learnt to sail on Carrick Roads, who is to say who will learn to row with our or another club and promote the sport further afield. “ The club keeps its two gigs at the harbour, and runs six to eight hour-long rowing sessions on weekends, plus four every evening.

With seven rowers piloting each gig, at least two cars are needed for each session.

Mrs Oliver added: “Implementing this restriction will severely jeopardize our club as many of our club members are students and can ill afford membership, let alone them now having to pay for parking to enjoy a local sport.

“Others are local residents on low incomes - myself included.

“We are a small club with many student members and local residents whose only way out onto the water is via the Pilot Gig.

“This idea must be reconsidered or our club, worst case scenario, could fold and personally, I am not prepared for that to happen.

“Support from our parish and Cornwall Council to our club, rather than detrimental ideas, would be appreciated.”