Cornwall Council tomorrow starts a three-month trial welcoming pet dogs to accompany their owners on to the Park and Ride at Tregurra Park and Langarth, when they visit Truro.

The trial will allow all dog owners to make full use of the Park and Ride facilities which operates between Tregurra Road and Langarth at Threemilestone, offering convenient parking and a fast, regular shuttle service into Truro city centre by bus.

Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for Transport, Geoff Brown said: “I am delighted that this trial is going ahead, and if successful will mean that dog owners will be able to choose yet another public transport option when they visit Truro.

"The rules about pets travelling on public transport are basically down to each transport operator, which means it can be confusing and inconvenient for those travelling with their dogs if one operator allows dogs and another doesn’t.

"Dogs are currently welcome on the majority of bus, rail and ferry services across Cornwall, so it makes sense to see whether we can standardise the rules and encourage more people cut congestion and avoid those queues by choosing to take the Park and Ride.

Guide dogs have always been allowed to accompany their owners on the buses since the Park and Ride first opened in 2008.

This is the first time owners of pet dogs will also be allowed to take their dog aboard.

It is hoped that the trial, if successful, will become permanent, bringing the Park and Ride into line with the majority of bus and rail services across Cornwall in allowing dogs to travel with their owners. The aim is to attract people who would previously have been discouraged from using the service.

The Park and Ride service has carried more than five million passengers in the last five years, taking more than 550 vehicles off the roads around central Truro each day.

By widening the service out to those who want to take public transport when they travel with their dog, we can encourage even more people to use the service, helping to cut congestion on the roads in and around the city centre.

Cllr Brown added: “We will monitor this trial closely and listen to feedback from those who use the service regularly, residents and visitors before we make a decision.

"Success will depend on everyone taking a sensible approach, owners keeping animals on a lead and under control, making sure any litter is disposed of; passengers being sensible about how they approach dogs they aren’t familiar with; and making sure children are aware of how to behave around dogs on transport.”