COUNCILLORS have slammed the amount of taxpayers’ money spent removing pay on exit barriers at Newquay car parks six years after they were installed.

A freedom of information request submitted by Newquay mayor Cllr Drew Creek shows Cornwall Council shelled out £161,800 installing the barrier at St Georges Road car park and £177,895 on the barrier at Manor Road car park.

The unitary authority is now spending a further £6,014.56 removing the barrier at Manor Road car park and £4,061 at St Georges Road car park, which will be replaced with pay-and-display units that were there before.

Cllr Creek says the expenditure is a “staggering mismanagement of public funds.”

He states the total cost of installation and subsequent removal of these barriers represents almost three years’ worth of total income from St Georges Road car park, one of the busiest in Newquay.

Cllr Creek said: “The installation of these barriers, followed by their removal just a few years later, shows a lack of long-term planning and fiscal responsibility.

“It’s disappointing to see such inefficiency, especially when residents are facing increasing financial pressures.”

The mayor says Newquay Town Council has demonstrated effective management after taking over the Atlantic Road car park.

Income over expenditure in the first year increased by almost 80 per cent, and in the second year rose by a further 20 per cent despite making it the cheapest car park in town.

Cllr Creek said: “We’ve shown that it’s possible to run car parks effectively and affordably.

“Our approach at Atlantic Road has been successful, saving residents money and increasing revenue. Meanwhile, Cornwall Council’s handling of St Georges and Manor car parks has been costly and inefficient.

“It’s time for a more responsible approach to managing public funds.”

Councillors are now calling for a review of Cornwall Council’s car park management strategy and for greater local control over Newquay’s car parks to ensure that public funds are used more effectively in the future.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “With the current pay on exit infrastructure reaching the end of its life, the estimated cost of a full like for like replacement in the six car parks in Cornwall where they are currently in operation would be more than £2-million.

“Barrier controlled car parks incur additional maintenance and repair costs and converting these car parks to pay and display will result in significant savings each year.

“We’re also removing the barriers due to feedback from drivers as barrier-controlled car parks are not accessible for everyone.

“Due to safety as there have been many instances of tailgating, where drivers seeking to avoid paying for their parking drove close to other vehicles as they exited the car park, often resulting in collisions.

“Also, reliability as the barriers are frequently susceptible to technical and hardware failure, as well as vandalism.

“Technology has developed since the pay on exit system was first introduced, with JustPark allowing drivers to extend their parking sessions remotely.

“Regular car park users are also able to benefit from discounts through JustPark multi-use sessions and resident season tickets.

“Parking tariffs and all associated parking products will remain unchanged.”