The Cornish seaside town of Polzeath has launched a new frontier in its battle with tourists.
Every summer, thousands of holidaymakers flock to the town on Cornwall’s northern coast to enjoy the delights of the British seaside.
However, while tourists bring a massive economic boost to Polzeath they also bring disruption through loud beach parties and traffic.
To try and combat the former, Polzeath’s authorities are launching a new scheme to deter the parties from occurring.
The town’s plan has involved the deployment of tens of small yellow cones along the roadside to prevent people from parking and blocking part of the road.
The cones have been used instead of double yellow lines because the weather has been too inclement for the lines to be painted effectively.
Posting about the cones on Facebook, the Polzeath Beach Ranger Service said: “Hopefully, the chaotic, dangerous, and inconvenient parking may ease now. These cones are in place until the double yellow lines are painted.
“The Highways team intended the lines to be done before Easter but needed the road to dry out for more than 24 hours, and then have a dry spell to pain them.”
Although the new cones – and replacement lines – may deter partygoers from taking to the sands, not everyone has been pleased with the development.
Cornwall Live reported that one tourist, Carrie Kirby, wrote that she wouldn’t travel to Polzeath because of the measures. She wrote: “I’m really not feeling very welcome to visit Polzeath anymore, having worked really hard all year and saved for my one holiday…to spend my cash locally We are not all idiots or inconsiderate.”
In response, the Beach Rangers reassured Carrie: “Don’t take the negative comments personally. Most of the people parking on the hill were local people or regular visitors to Polzeath trying to save money.
“The majority here welcome visitors and tourists. We wouldn’t work in tourism if we didn’t like it! You’re always welcome at our beach.”
The measures in Polzeath follow a series of complaints about the impact of inconsiderate parking on locals that continued over the Easter weekend.
Reg Webber, 78, said: “The traffic situation in Polzeath this weekend was absolute chaos, and exceptionally dangerous.
“Normally parking restrictions would have restricted vehicles parking on the road, but the signs disappeared at the start of the year and it’s been a total free-for-all.
“Buses have struggled to make it into the village without several vehicles reversing to allow them access – if a fire engine or ambulance needed to get into the area quickly, they would have no chance.”
