Cornwall Council is considering a series of changes to its car parks across the Duchy, including the potential introduction of charges at 13 currently free car parks. The proposed amendments would also see winter charges applied at 11 locations and motorhome fees added to ten sites. A consultation process has now begun to gather feedback from residents and users of the affected car parks.
The council explained that the proposals aim to manage parking assets effectively and align with broader traffic management objectives, including improving road safety, reducing congestion, and supporting sustainable transport. A spokesperson said: “Your feedback will help shape how parking is managed in your community, ensuring it meets the needs of local communities while supporting Cornwall’s environmental and economic goals.”
Among the changes under consideration are increases to parking charges in all chargeable Cornwall Council car parks, either in line with inflation or for traffic management purposes.
The council also plans to remove the 2-3 hour tariff from all long-stay car parks and convert several sites to long or short-stay categories, including Tolcarne Road in Newquay to long-stay, Trengrouse Way in Helston to long-stay, and the Cattle Market in Liskeard to short-stay. Broadsyard in Downderry would be removed from the order, while Tintagel Visitors Centre would be renamed Bossiney Road, Tintagel.
Motorhome charges are proposed for locations such as Link Road in Padstow, Watergate Bay, Trenwith in St Ives, Wheal Leisure in Perranporth, and Main in Fowey, among others, and a prohibition on motorhomes would apply at Commercial Road in Hayle. Winter charges would be introduced at Gyllyngvase in Falmouth, Readymoney in Fowey, The Beach in Seaton, Watergate Bay, and several car parks in Newquay and Par.
Additional car parks would be added to the parking order, including Ponsadane in Penzance, Gas Hill in Truro, Wellington Road in St Dennis, Clay Trails Nansladron in St Austell, and several sites in Bodmin, Callington, and Camborne. Reserved parking permits would also see price adjustments to bring them in line with current market values, and the JustPark Wallet minimum spend would be reduced to £35.
Residents in Helston have already expressed concerns over the potential introduction of charges at the Fairground car park. One local speaking to the council was quoted on CornwallLive saying: “This car park is the gateway to the boating lake, play park, café and the popular walking route from Helston to Porthleven and is used daily by families, dog walkers, elderly residents, people managing mental health and visitors who rely on being able to stay for long periods without worrying about the cost.
“Introducing charges here would effectively turn one of Helston’s only free, accessible outdoor spaces into a pay-to-enter amenity, pricing out low-income families and discouraging people from using a place that plays a major role in local wellbeing, social connection and physical health. Once a community car park becomes paid, it never returns to being free. This is not just a parking issue – it is about access to green space, fairness and the future of one of Helston’s most valued public areas.”
Another resident was quoted in the same outlet: “In a world that is trying to encourage time in nature, better mental health, better physical fitness, time away from screens, it would be an absolute scandal to start making money from this piece of land that is so important to Helston. The parkrun each Saturday alone would be hugely impacted.”
The consultation will remain open until February 4, and representations, whether in support or opposition, should be submitted in writing to Parking Services, PO Box 664, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 9DH, by email to parking@cornwall.gov.uk, or via the online questionnaire provided by the council.
