A PARISH poll to gauge public opinion about South Lakeland District Council's handling of its closure of the informal car park on New Road has been rejected.

More than 80 Kendal residents backed a motion proposed by campaigner Andy Milliard at a public meeting which asked: Do you want our Westmorland and Lonsdale MP to call a public inquiry into activities and dealings on New Road common land?'

It was expected that the question would be put to the town's residents but that has been scuppered by SLDC's returning officer Debbie Storr.

In a letter to Kendal Mayor Cllr Andy Blackman, who chaired the parish meeting, and Mr Milliard, she explained that legal advice had been taken and the question 'does not amount to a parish affair.' She said it was 'devoid of practical application' as the MP, Tim Farron, would not be able to call for a public inquiry.

Mr Milliard said he was 'not surprised' at the prospect of the poll being turned down, and added he felt residents were not being listened to over the matter of New Road.

"Kendal is part of the parish so anything to do with Kendal is to do with the parish, and as far as I'm concerned, our MP is the only one who should be able to call a public inquiry," he said.

Mr Milliard added that those who had called the original meeting are due to meet tonight (March 29) to discuss their next course of action. He also said calling another parish meeting and deciding upon a different question was still being considered as an option.

"It will be a meeting of the people who have been working hard behind the scenes and we will let people know how we intend to go forward," he said.