Parking charges to increase in Cornwall Council car parks

Some will remain free

Cornwall Council has listened to thousands of objections to proposed changes to parking charges across the Duchy and has decided that a number of car parks will remain free.

However, parking is due to increase in all of the council’s chargeable car parks.

A council scrutiny committee will be asked to okay a significant number of changes to the local authority’s off street parking order next Tuesday (March 3), which will then go to the Liberal Democrat / Independent cabinet for approval.

One of the headline proposals is an increase of 3.8% in all Cornwall Council chargeable car parks. A committee report states: “To ensure the continued delivery of the parking service, it is necessary to increase charges to reflect rising operational costs and general inflation across the service.”

During the consultation, which ran from January 14 to February 4, the council received a total of 9,266 feedback comments. There were 7,555 objections to the proposals and 381 responses in support.

Proposals to introduce charges in free car parks received 3,920 objections. A petition with 4,049 responses was received in opposition to charging at the Fairground car park in Helston, while a petition with 1,021 signatures was received against charging at Seaton Beach.

The most objected to car park changes were those relating to the Camel Trail (a collection of car parks, 733), Kit Hill (1,081) and Helston’s Fairground (969). As a result, most of those car parks will remain free but charging will still be introduced at Fairground – see further details below.

Among the suggestions likely to be ratified is to return Moresk and Edward Street car parks in Truro to being free after 4pm. However, all tariffs in Truro would be increased to offset the income lost by providing this.

It is hoped the move will benefit both small businesses and the night-time economy of the city.

The initiative also proposes the reinstatement of levies in Gwithian, Bude and Widemouth car parks to offset the financial contributions requested by parish councils for the operation and upkeep of public toilets.

The removal of the 2-3 hour tariff within all long stay car parks is suggested to promote longer stays within town centres, while also providing increased income.

The recommendations include the conversion of Tolcarne Road, Newquay, to a long stay car park, which will provide up to 80 additional spaces in the Narrowcliff area of Newquay, where it has previously been identified that parking capacity is limited.

The plans also include the conversion of Trengrouse Way, Helston, to a long stay car park. The extended area of the car park will retain its short‑stay provision to encourage high turnover and support quick access trips to the town centre.

It is suggested that the conversion of Cattle Market, Liskeard, into a short stay car park will support the traffic needs of the town and push longer stay parking to car parks on the outskirts of the town.

The report includes the introduction of a motorhome prohibition at Commercial Road, Hayle. Hayle Town Council contacted Cornwall Council requesting support managing overnight parking within the site as vehicle owners were using the public toilets to dispose of waste.

The proposals also include the reduction of the JustPark Wallet minimum spend to £35.

Introduction of charges at the following free car parks

Fairground, Helston
Hamleys Corner, Par
Howells Bridge, Stratton
Scarletts Well, Bodmin
Viewing Point North, Widemouth
Thanckes Park, Torpoint
The following car parks will not now introduce charges and will remain free

Helland, Bodmin
Kit Hill, Callington
Pensilva
Poleys Bridge
St Andrews Pond, Par
Tideford
Wendfordbridge, Bodmin
Concerning the car parks where charges will be introduced, the agenda report states: “The service acknowledges the high level of opposition to this proposal. However, officers and the cabinet member [for transport] recognise that these sites either require substantial investment, necessitating the introduction of a charge, or need further management.

“The proposed charges are £2 per day, with the first hour being free. This will apply to all currently free car parks, with the exception of Fairground, which will be instated at a band C.

“We believe that Fairground has received the highest level of objection and it is appropriate to comment specifically on this site. Currently, the parking service regrades the car park surface twice per year, at a cost of £6,000 per visit.

“However, the improvements made are only temporary and do not address the wider surface requirements. In addition, there are regular costs relating to issues with unauthorised encampment and fly tipping. In order to improve the quality of this car park, which serves local amenities, such as the National Trust’s Penrose Estate, the boating lake and the coastal path, the council will need to implement a charge.”

Introduction of winter charges to the following car parks

Gyllyngvase, Falmouth
Readymoney, Fowey
The Beach, Seaton
Watergate Bay, Watergate
Wheal Leisure, Perranporth
Albany Road, Newquay
Dane Road, Newquay
Tregunnel, Newquay
Par Beach, Par
The following car parks have been removed from the winter charging proposal

Belmont Place, Newquay
Reppers Coombe, St Agnes
“Following a conversation with local members, it was decided that Belmont car park would remain free to mitigate the impact this change would have on the town.

“Following feedback from St Agnes Parish Council, it is believed that winter charges in St Agnes would have a negative impact upon traffic along Quay Road and as a result Reppers Coombe has been removed from proposals,” the reports adds.

Introduction of the following car parks to the parking order

Ponsadane, Penzance
Gas Hill, Truro
Scarletts Well, Bodmin
Tuckingmill Pavillion, Camborne
The following car parks have been dropped from the parking order proposal

St Andrews Pond, Par
Kit Hill, Callington
Wendfordbridge, Bodmin
Poley’s Bridge, Bodmin
Helland, Bodmin
Grogley Halt, Bodmin
Inclusion of motorhome charges in the following car parks

Link Road, Padstow
Watergate Bay
Trenwith, St Ives
Wheal Leisure, Perranporth
Main, Fowey
Marazion Station
Gyllyngvase coach park, Falmouth
Seaton Bridge
Cattle Market, Launceston
Victoria Square, Bodmin
Some locations proposed for the implementation of parking charges border a local playground. To mitigate the impact, car parks which fit this criteria are proposed to have a 30-minute free period to allow for access for a short period and reduce the cost of longer visits.