Six previously free car parks to start charging

A number of previously free car parks are to introduce tariffs after approval by Cornwall Council.

The cabinet decision comes despite a scrutiny committee voting against the proposals earlier this month.

Among those affected is the Helston Fairground car park where there will be a daily £5.50 charge at the site which has been free for more than 40 years.

Councillor Loveday Jenkin told the cabinet meeting the Helston car park may have been singled out due to how difficult it is to manage, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

She said: "The reason it is difficult to manage is because it's basically a surface on a bog. It's marshland, it's wetland.

"We have to realise there is no easy way of resurfacing this in a much more manageable manner."

The other previously free car parks to have introduced charges are Hamleys Corner in Par, Howells Bridge in Stratton, Scarletts Well in Bodmin, Viewing Point North in Widemouth and Thanckes Park in Torpoint.

Other changes approved at the meeting include an increase of 3.8% in all Cornwall Council chargeable car parks in line with inflation.

Moresk and Edward Street car parks in Truro are becoming free after 16:00, with all tariffs in Truro being increased to offset the income lost.

In Newquay, Tolcarne Road will be converted to a long stay car park, to provide up to 80 additional spaces in the Narrowcliff area.

Trengrouse Way in Helston will also become a long stay car park with Cattle Market in Liskeard converting to a short stay facility.

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