All Cornwall Council pay and display car parks will be free in the evenings from, April 1 under proposals drafted in response to resident feedback.

Following last year’s Town Parking Review, the proposals form part of a wider review of parking tariffs and the way residents can pay for using Council car parks.

This includes changes to seasonal parking permits which mean regular car park users can buy a number of parking sessions at a reduced rate, paying per trip rather than across a specific period of time.

With car park charges (winter and summer tariffs) having remained at the same levels for the last three years, the council’s proposed changes aim to help manage the demand in our most congested areas and tackle air quality issues by encouraging people to consider using public transport.

From 1 April 2018, seasonal tariffs will be standardised in the most congested towns, where there is heavy demand on parking spaces. This means seasonal tariffs will be same for all Council car parks in Falmouth, Newquay, Penzance and St Ives, while in Truro, the charges will apply throughout the year.

Day time car park tariffs in all other towns and villages will remain at the same seasonal rates which have been in place since 2015.

The move to offer free car parking during the evening has been driven by the views of local people, explained Council Leader Adam Paynter.

"In last year's Town Parking Review, residents raised concerns about the lack of availability of on-street parking at night," he said. "Since then we have also heard from businesses and Cornwall councillors who have asked us to consider abolish evening parking charges to help support local economies.

“As well as abolishing evening parking charges, we’re giving people more flexible pay and park options during the day time, such as offering seasonal permits at a reduced rate through the JustPark app.

“In the long term and as we continue to improve public transport options, we want people to think more about how they travel to the places which are heavily congested. We also have the Park and Ride service in Truro which alleviates parking pressures on the city centre.”

For more information on the proposals visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/ParkingTariffs