A public meeting is to be held in Penryn to discuss issues surrounding parked cars obstructing access to Permarin Road.

The town council decided to call a meeting after receiving a letter from Jodie Craven, who wrote to complain after her two-year-old daughter suffered a seizure and an ambulance was unable to get down the road.

Councillor Chris Smith said: “Surely it’s a police matter. If there’s a fire and the fire engine can’t get through, people will die.”

Councillor Gill Grant replied that a fire engine would be able to push its way through, whereas an ambulance would not have the necessary power.

Councillor Vicky Bennett said a meeting might only attract residents of Permarin Road, rather than people who park on the road, but Councillor Cait Hutchings said it could concentrate people’s minds, and “help everyone to think about their parking.”

Councillor Martin Mullins, who supported the suggestion of a public meeting, warned that if double yellow lines were added to the road “they do have a habit of staying”, and would be difficult to move. However, Mrs Bennett pointed out that the main obstruction occurred on a section of road next to the public car park.

Councillor Mary May said she had already asked about the possibility of adding yellow lines next to the car park, and added that there was a Cornwall Council “wish list” for adding such measures, which would be carried out soon, after which time no more requests would be carried out for four or five years.

The council voted to hold a public meeting on Thursday, October 16, at Penryn Town Hall. Penryn residents, representatives of the highways department and the police will be invited.

The council will be writing to all residents of Permarin Road and St Gluvias Street to let them know of the meeting.

n Anyone who is unable to attend but wants to comment should write to the town council, drop in written comments at the council offices or email admin@penryntowncouncil.co.uk.