Residents of Helston may be asked to help pay for the road leading to the fairground on Flora Day to remain closed this year, following a U-turn from the town council.

A crowdfunding campaign is one suggestion to help cover the cost of shutting Porthleven Road, so that the thousands of people who visit the fair in the car park opposite Coronation Lake – including many families with young children – can continue to walk there safely.

Previously the amenities committee of Helston Town Council had voted the costs involved to be too expensive, but has since reconsidered following a public outcry over safety concerns.

Crowdfunding – where the general public is encouraged to put money towards a project – was the suggestion of mayor Gillian Geer, who said: “Maybe we should be saying to the people of Helston, ‘We technically can’t shut that road, because we have no money to. If you would like it shut, how about you pay for it?’ Otherwise, how else are we going to pay for this?”

Town clerk Chris Dawson was asked to look for outside funding to help pay for the closure and security – including through the possible crowdfunding campaign – but failing this it was agreed the cost should be paid for with the town council’s general reserves.

Six months ago the amenities committee decided that due to a lack of interest from traders, no stalls would be placed along that road, thereby resulting in the road remaining open to traffic.

A key factor in the decision was the cost of the road closure, including the cost of hiring professional security to man it. This is something that the police insist on, with volunteers not permissible due to the contentious nature of the closure – the security guards even getting driven at in the past.

While the actual road closure order is only around £100, last year it cost £800 for security, £160 for toilet facilities for the staff and £130 for a market supervisor, when the stalls were there.

Now however, following a public backlash – including from the town’s Cornwall councillors – the amenities committee has reversed part of that decision.

In a unanimous vote, members agreed to continue shutting the road this year.

Amenities committee member Ronnie Williams said: “What price do you put on a life? There’s a fair at the end of the road – what does that draw? Young people, parents, pushchairs. As careful as parents can be it’s just that split second.

“As responsible people representing the people of the town, I think there’s no question or doubt. We have got to get it [closed].”

New councillor Rev Danny Reed agreed: “I can’t imagine Flora Day and getting people to the fair with that road open. I think it would be a recipe for disaster.

“I think we have to take very seriously the responsibility on us if we do leave it open and there is an accident or some form of difficulty.”

Town warden Craig Bowcutt was asked to monitor how many people do use the road, with photographic evidence, so that the situation can be reviewed again ahead of next year.

Already, following negotiations with Cornwall councillor Andrew Wallis, the fairground operators have agreed to pay a £500 contribution to the costs, although Cornwall Council – which owns the car park the fair is sited on – has refused, saying the money it makes from hiring out the land on Flora Day goes towards repairs and allows the car park to remain free to park in all year.

Mr Wallis, who had previously written to the committee about his concerns for public safety “due to the sheer number of people attending Flora Day and the fair” and also the potential for “serious congestion due the amount of traffic trying to navigate the area,” has welcomed the U-turn.

He said: “Whilst I disagreed with their original decision, credit to the town council for now applying for this road closure.”