Motorists and shoppers in Saltash have welcomed the news that there will be free parking in the town's council-owned car parks in the run up to Christmas.

The free parking in Saltash, which runs from 9.30am between Monday, December 20, and Friday, December 24, is being subsidised mainly by Saltash Town Council, with Saltash and District Chamber of Commerce also contributing.

Saltash Town Council is the only town which has agreed to foot the bill after Cornwall Council scrapped the concessionary scheme brought in by some district councils before Cornwall became a unitary authority.

Saltash mayor Adam Killeya said: 'This is a critical time of year for our traders in a difficult economic climate.

'The free parking has always given the town centre a boost and helped keep Christmas trade into Saltash. Town centre regeneration is Saltash Town Council's official top priority and we are very disappointed that Cornwall Council has stopped this free Christmas parking.

'We think it's important enough to keep it going even if it means paying for it ourselves,' he said.

But the majority of town and parish councils in South East Cornwall have decided not to subsidise any free parking, and are disappointed and angry at Cornwall Council's decision.

Goodwill

Liskeard mayor Tony Powell said: 'As a town council we are appalled at the decision of Cornwall Council in respect of traditional free parking. We have taken a long-term view and directed our limited resources to safeguarding the town.'

Deputy portreeve for Callington Town Council Jeremy Gist said: 'I am very disappointed Cornwall Council couldn't find it in their hearts to fund free parking, especially seeing as the central funding cuts weren't as much as they thought it would be.

'Perhaps the season of goodwill could descend on them occasionally.'

Looe mayor Jimmy Dingle added: 'It is easy to balance the budget when you pass the loss-makers on to someone else. Cornwall Council is passing the loss-makers on to Looe Town Council with no financial assistance. If we subsidise the parking this year, what will they throw at us next year?'

Cornwall Council has said it is happy to facilitate any proposal which is at no net cost to the authority and has given chambers of commerce and town and parish councils the option to finance free parking schemes.

Torpoint mayor Eddie Andrews said: 'It is not unexpected because they are trying to save money. It was not a big surprise.'

Torpoint town council was due to discuss whether to subsidise free parking at its meeting last night and said members might agree 'if the price is right'.