CORNWALL Council has defended itself after criticism from a town council at the centre of a row over the removal of a bus stop.

Padstow Town Council recently announced that it was going to remove permission for buses to use a stop on its land at the former railway station in the town, citing safety concerns.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “With around 500 people per week using the Railway Car Park stop between October and March and more than 1,500 during the summer, it is incredibly disappointing that Padstow Town Council have taken this decision. 

“Given the geography of the town and steep hills surrounding the centre, as well as limited public parking, this decision will have a particular impact on those with limited mobility and people with young children. 

“During the winter, two services serve the stop each hour offering connections to rail at Bodmin Parkway, Newquay Airport and other onward connections to Truro and St Austell.

“Buses can only access the stop by driving around the car park and we have been working to address the town council’s concerns for the last 18 months. As a result we removed school and college services from the area to reduce the number of vehicle movements. 

“We have offered to facilitate discussions with Go Cornwall Bus to further address concerns. This offer was declined. 

“We have also asked for space previously delegated to bus parking to be reinstated and have offered to fund the installation of the necessary signs and lineage. However, this request does not appear to have been considered by the town council. 

“Buses will continue to serve the car park stop until Saturday, November 16. Should the town council wish to reconsider their decision before then we will be happy to discuss further.”

Padstow Town Council said it was pleased to share that a meeting between Padstow Town Council and Councillor Worth, the covering Transport Cabinet Member, has been arranged.

Councillor O’Keefe, chairman of the council commented: “It’s a shame it’s taken so long to get to this point. We’ve been waiting for a response from a Cabinet Member since July, when we first gave notice to Cornwall Council and advised Go Cornwall and First of this.

“There have been a number of misleading and inaccurate comments in the press over the last few weeks which have not been helpful to resolving this issue for our town, I’m hopeful that this meeting will be collaborative and we can move forward.”

A spokesperson for the council added that it will discuss the matter at a meeting on Tuesday, October 29 which will be held at Padstow Community Hub where a larger number of residents can be accommodated.