Concerns over parking arrangements in Looe over the Christmas period have prompted a call for a fresh look at the way it is provided throughout the year. Many people feared Looe could be losing out this Christmas following an announcement by Caradon District Council of its free parking arrangements for Looe, Liskeard and Callington during December. Local councillor Edwina Arkell said she had been contacted this week by traders and residents worried that the town appeared to be getting just three whole days and two half days of free parking in its Caradon council-controlled car parks, while Liskeard will be free every day from 1pm from December 12 to 24, as well as today, Friday. Callington will benefit from a free day on December 8 and half-days from December 13 to 24. 'A Caradon spokesman explained that the free parking days were the result of a historic agreement between the district and the three towns, under which they were entitled to the equivalent of either five full days free or ten half- days, as well as existing half-day parking on Saturdays. The arrangement with Looe had been agreed by representatives of the town in the past. Mrs Arkell said the concerns highlighted a wider issue surrounding the provision of parking in Looe and said she would be asking Caradon to look again at it. 'Looe hasn't really benefited from the new shoppers' concessionary parking introduced by Caradon, and the main car parks are too far away, although the holidaymakers love it,' she said. 'The problem in the town centre is that there are too many cars; we need to be looking at spending money on promoting alternative means of getting here rather than encouraging more motorists.'
