A Helston councillor has spoken out to reassure townsfolk they will “not wake up to hundreds of parking meters.”

Cornwall Council has issued a long list of possible budget cuts and initiatives, in its bid to find £196 million of savings over the next four years – including the possibility of on-street meters.

This has led to fears over the impact on town centre trade, with Cornwall councillor Judith Haycock claiming it would be “disastrous for the town” and that businesses had been against pedestrianisation due to concerns over its affect on trade.

However Cornwall Council cabinet member Andrew Wallis, stressed there was “not going to be a zero tolerance” approach to parking in streets.

He explained that the intention was for “certain pinch points,” such as the road running past Truro Railway Station, to be looked at, as a way of raising extra revenue through parking meters.

“It’s not a question of having blanket parking meters across Cornwall,” he added.

Mr Wallis said a few places had already welcomed the idea, but that if it went ahead it would be on a “case by case” basis.

“I want to reassure traders and residents, they’re not going to wake up and see hundreds of parking meters across the land,” he added.