A consultation on parking restrictions on Falmouth seafront to try and tackle the issue of van dwellers living on the side of the road is being launched by Cornwall Council in October.

As already reported in the Packet, a working party was set up in October 2021 by Cornwall and town councillor Laurie Magowan and town councillor Zoe Young. They have been working towards a community action network panel application for a traffic restriction order as well signage to say no overnight parking.

The working party involved local residents, town councillors and officers and the van dwellers themselves and its aim was to come up with solutions for both parties to regulate van dwellers parking mainly on Cliff Road and Boscawen Road.

The public consultation for parking restrictions has now been confirmed as taking place in October. It is thought to be aimed at vehicles over three half tons which have clearly been adapted to live in. It is hoped that the proposed restrictions, which were initially rejected by Cornwall Council, will be in place by next year.

Responding to a letter on the Packet website claiming the town council had "definite bias" for van dwellers living on Cliff Road and Boscawen Road, town councillor Jude Robinson confirmed that the consultation will be taking place in October.

"Everyone is entitled to their views but sadly this letter is firing at the wrong target," she said. "The problems of homelessness and restrictions on parking are statutory duties of Cornwall Council. Arwenack Cornwall councillor Laurie Magowan has been working hard since his election to try and find solutions to the growing problem of vans parked along the seafront.

"The first response from Cornwall Council was that generally they were not in favour of more parking restrictions. All credit to Laurie that he has won the argument on this and consultation will begin in October on TROs (Traffic Restriction Orders). These are legal orders and will take a while to put in place but we are hoping by next year they will be there and vans can be moved on.

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"At the town council, we do not have the power to do this. But we are concerned at the problem and Cllr Zoe Young has also been working hard with Laurie in the Working Party to find solutions. Falmouth's BID (Business Improvement District) is involved and our town centre manager."