Vandalised Helston car park 'not fair for old people with cash'

The introduction of parking charges at the Fairground Car Park in June faced backlash from both residents and Helston Town Council, who shared concerns about limiting elderly and disabled residents' access to the green space for their health and wellbeing amongst the reasons they were against the move.

The three new machines were vandalised on the first day charges were introduced, with foam sprayed into the payment slots, prompting a police investigation.

Now, a pensioner wanting to pay with cash is concerned about being left unable to exercise in the Penrose area as the parking machines remain out of use.

The retired technician, who only wanted to be known as David, says the free one hour of parking will not be enough to cover his regular walk, and he has already received a parking fine for returning 10 minutes late.

“I cannot walk to the lake and back in an hour. I never know with my legs, sometimes I need a rest,” he said.

The parking meters at Helston's Fairground Car Park are still out of use (Image: Helston Packet)

In his 70s, he suffers from poor eyesight and is unable to use a smartphone for payment, branding the parking instructions ‘not fit for purpose’.

Having lived in the area most of his life, he has even built a relationship with the National Trust rangers over the decades he has used the car park, helping to identify illegal campers and fires.

“If you make a car park, you make it available to everyone," he added.

"A lot of elderly people live there and use the car park. It’s not fair for old people with cash. If they put machines up, then I will pay.

“I can’t take my grandkids there to sit on the grass and have a picnic – it makes my blood boil."

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council told the Packet: “Payment options for users of Fairground Car Park are unfortunately limited at the moment.

“This is because the machines have been repeatedly vandalised and are unable to take payment.

“We share the frustrations of car park users who want to use the machines to pay for their parking.

“The options available at present are to pay through JustPark – either over the phone or by using the app.

“More information can be found on the car park signs, and you do not need a smartphone or internet access to pay by phone.”

Foam was sprayed into the new parking meters at Helston's Fairground Car Park on the first day of charging (Image: Supplied)

Cornwall Council also confirmed that the machines will be fixed, despite the extra cost.

“The costs of repairing or replacing these machines impacts on taxpayers, reducing the money available within the council’s wider highways budget to fund road resurfacing, pothole repairs, road safety measures and car park maintenance.

“Motorists who believe a Penalty Charge Notice has been incorrectly issued are advised to follow the process for making a challenge detailed on the back of the notice,” added the spokesperson.