People are being urged to respond to a consultation from Cornwall Council over plans to make some of its free car parks paid for.

People have until December 21 to respond to the consultation which seeks to revoke the current Cornwall Council (Off Street Parking Places) Order 2023 with a 2024 order to include paying for car parks that are currently free.

This includes Penryn’s last remaining free car park at Permarin and the Ponsharden Park and Ride car park on Falmouth Road.

The charges at Permarin would range from 60p for half an hour to £3 for two to three hours. Overnight parking would remain free from 4pm to 9am.

Falmouth Packet:

Poldhu Cove car park at Mullion, which is currently free between November 1 and March 31, would be removed from the order meaning it will no longer be under the council’s control.

It will also mean the removal of ‘Reserved Permit parking’ from Church Street Car Park in Falmouth.

One concerned resident of Penryn is asking people to register a response the consultation saying Permarin is the town’s Penryn’s last remaining free car park.

“The car park serves many residents who live in ancient town with hardly any parking,” they said. “It also serves all the local businesses who rely on it for trade and also workers who drive to Penryn.

“Removing this asset to the town is shortsighted and greedy, particularly in a cost of living crisis! How many people would no longer be able to park their car anyway near their house or be able to afford to park there?”

Cornwall Council have been asked for a response.

Revoking the order will also mean amendments to the multi-purchase sessions and an extension of the maximum stay period in Old Bridge Street, Truro.

It also means the following car parks will be revoked from the order meaning they will not be under the control of Cornwall Council any more:

• The Sloop, St Ives

• Grenfell Avenue, Saltash

• Pentire Headland, Newquay

• Poldhu Cove, Mullion

• Chy An Gweal, Carbis Bay

It would also meant the introduction of the resident season ticket and the removal of ‘Reserved Permit parking’ from Church Street, Falmouth.

Cornwall Council manages 133 chargeable car parks and a further 72 free car parks throughout Cornwall - the largest number of car parks spaces managed by a local authority in the UK.

It says the revenue generated from the fees charges are invested back into maintaining the car parks, associated infrastructure and our highway and transportation network.

A copy of the draft order can be found at any Cornwall Council library using the public access computers.

Copies may also be viewed at www.cornwall.gov.uk/TrafficConsult Representations (objection or support) to the proposed Order should be in writing and received by December 21, 2023 - addressed to: Parking Services, PO Box 664, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 9DH or to parking@cornwall.gov.uk or via the above website.