We can’t park outside our homes – now we’re taking things into our own hands

DISABLED and elderly residents of a street with council plans to stop them parking outside their homes are ready to protest.

Cornwall Council proposed traffic calming measures in Camborne to make the roads around Camborne Science & International Academy safer.

The proposed plans include double yellow lines, speed bumps and 'build-outs' on Cranberry Road, Crane Road, Morrab Road and Cranfield Road.

However, several infirm residents who live in bungalows provided by Coastline Housing on Cranberry Road are worried about the impact on their lives if parking is removed from the area.

Karen Knight uses a mobility scooter and says she has hardly slept since the proposals appeared on lampposts a few weeks ago.

"I'd have to move if this happens or lose my mobility car which I can't do. I've been up all night crying about this," Karen told .

"There are seven bungalows, all sheltered housing, all elderly with illnesses and disabilities and two driving motability cars. This will impact on all of us and lots of other people in the area too. This will affect about 50 cars in all, leaving us all with nowhere to park."

Residents had until May 18 to object to the plans and the council are currently 'analysing' responses to a consultation survey.

Karen, who has a number of illnesses, is organising weekly protests on the road and has made signs which read 'No Double Yellow Lines! Elderly & Disabled People Matter!'.

She continued: "I'm devastated. I love living here and thought I'd die here, but I cannot stay with nowhere to park. There will only be two parking spaces left on either side of the road which just isn't enough."

Another resident, called Audrey Colwill, suffers from cancer and COPD and said she is 'so mad' after three men from CORMAC told her 'it's all for the children, not for you'.

Iris Collier, who is nearly 80, told the : "There won't be anywhere to park at all. I appreciate that children have to be looked after, but what about us who live here?"

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: "With more than 1,500 students attending the local secondary school, we are proposing a range of measures to make the surrounding roads safer for people walking in the area.

"This includes new footways and crossing points as well as parking restrictions at key junctions where visibility is an issue.

"As well as making it safer for anyone walking in the area - which also includes a park and the local rugby club - these proposals also aim to improve access for people with visual impairments or mobility issues.  

"We are currently analysing the responses to the recent consultation about the proposals."