Season tickets for many Council car parks will be reduced next year as part of a three month trial aiming to cut costs for Cornwall’s commuters and car park season ticket holders.

Between Thursday 2 January and Monday 31 March, motorists will be able to buy season tickets valid for 12 months for specific car parks at a reduced rate.

As well as reducing the cost to motorists, the trial will also assess if reducing the price of season tickets will encourage more drivers to buy them, including those who do not currently use car parks. Motorists who have already bought a season ticket will be able to apply for a pro rata refund.

A similar trial which ran in Launceston last year proved successful.

The season ticket trial is one of three pilot schemes being introduced in Council car parks over the next six months following the decision of the Council to set aside £1.2m to underwrite any losses arising from the experiments.

As a result, the Council will be introducing trials of lower tariffs in various locations over the next 12 months. These tariffs could become permanent if the trial schemes prove financially viable.

The final pilot parking scheme will give all motorists the option of using their mobile phone to access 30 minutes free parking in all Council car parks between Saturday 1 March and Sunday 20 April.

“Cornish towns rely on commerce and commuters to create the prosperity which they generate,” said Councillor Bert Biscoe, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for Transport and Waste.

“In difficult times it is important that the Council's car parks should support competitiveness and generate good business both for the towns and for themselves. This is why we are altering the costs of season tickets. The Lanson experiment has shown what can be achieved - now the opportunity is there for all Cornish towns to take this up.”

Councillor Alex Folkes, portfolio holder for finance and resources, said: “The season ticket trial in Launceston proved that lowering prices can result in happier commuters and happier local residents without any significant effect on the income for the council. I'm delighted that the success of Launceston is being rolled out to other parts of Cornwall.”

Car park    Existing price                             Reduced price

Falmouth Packet:

Season tickets will be valid for individual car parks or the specified groups of car parks as outlined above. A customer will not be able to choose a range of car parks.

Season tickets will be vehicle specific.

Season tickets will be valid for 12 months only but direct debit instalment options will be available.

Refunds on existing permits will be available – however refunds cannot be given until existing permit returned so there will be a delay between paying for new permit and receiving refund. (Due to potential volume this could be over 2 months).